You are providing continuing education for a group of EMTs. The topic is acute abdominal pain. What point would you stress when discussing the EMT's treatment of the patient with acute abdominal pain?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The EMT should stress that definitive care for patients with abdominal pain is hospital evaluation and possible surgical intervention. It is important for the EMT to provide supportive care en route to the hospital, but ultimately the patient will need evaluation and treatment by a physician. Spending extended time on scene may delay necessary care and transport. Patients complaining of nausea and vomiting without pain should still be transported by ambulance, as they may have underlying medical conditions that require attention. However, the EMT should prioritize transport of patients with severe, worsening, or potentially life-threatening symptoms. Identifying the cause of the abdominal pain can be helpful, but it is not always possible or necessary for the EMT to do so.

You Are Providing Continuing Education for a Group of EMTs