Chapter 23: Gynecological Emergencies

While the ages can vary, women typically experience menstruation from approximately _________ to ____________ years of age.

11; 50.

A patient with pelvic inflammatory disease will typically complain of _________.

Abdominal pain associated with menstruation.

A 26-year-old female presents with heavy vaginal bleeding. She is conscious, but restless. Her blood pressure is 84/54 mm Hg, her pulse is 120 beats/min and weak, and her respirations are 22 breaths/min with adequate depth. She tells you that she inserted a tampon about 2 hours ago. You should:

Administer high-flow oxygen, place a sterile pad over her vagina, keep her warm, elevate her lower extremities, and transport without delay.

Causes of vaginal bleeding include which of the following?

All of these answers are correct.

During gynecologic emergencies, in addition to the standard SAMPLE questions, the EMT should attempt to determine which of the following?

All of these answers are correct.

In cases of sexual assault, it is important to ensure that you do which of the following?

All of these answers are correct.

Left untreated, _____ can lead to premature birth or low birth weight in pregnant women.

Bacterial vaginosis.

In anticipation of receiving a fertilized ovum, the lining of the uterine wall:

Becomes engorged with blood.

The onset of menstruation usually occurs in women who are:

Between 11 and 16 years of age.

Which of the following conditions would MOST likely lead to pelvic inflammatory disease if left untreated?

Chlamydia.

Often the most important intervention for a sexual assault patient is _____ and transport to a facility with a staff specially trained to deal with this scenario

Comforting reassurance.

It is common for young females who experience their first menstrual period to:

Experience abdominal cramping, which may be misinterpreted.

Each ovary produces an ovum in alternating months and releases it into the:

Fallopian tube.

The _____________ connect(s) each ovary with the uterus.

Fallopian tubes.

Your _____ is the best tool to gain the patient's confidence to seek medical help.

Follow your system's refusal of treatment policy and respect the patient's wishes without judgment.

Whenever possible, a female sexual assault victim should be:

Given the option of being treated by a female EMT.

Painful urination associated with burning and a yellowish discharge is associated with:

Gonorrhea.

Which of the following infections, when left untreated, may lead to infection of the blood and brain?

Gonorrhea.

When a woman presents with abdominal pain or other vague symptoms, the EMT is often unable to determine the nature of the problem until he or she:

Has gathered patient history information.

If a woman with vaginal bleeding reports syncope, the EMT should assume that she:

Is in shock.

The __________ and _________ are folds of tissue that surround the urethral and vaginal openings.

Labia majora; labia minora.

The physical examination of a sexual assault victim should be:

Limited to a brief survey for life-threatening injuries.

Which of the following clinical presentations is MOST consistent with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)?

Lower abdominal pain, fever, general malaise, and foul-smelling vaginal discharge.

The most common presenting sign of pelvic inflammatory disease is:

Lower abdominal pain.

When caring for a woman who is experiencing a gynecologic emergency, the EMT's main focus should be to:

Maintain her ABCs and transport without delay.

In contrast to bleeding caused by external trauma to the vagina, bleeding caused by conditions such as polyps or cancer:

May be relatively painless.

Bacterial vaginosis is a condition that occurs when:

Normal bacteria in the vagina are replaced by an overgrowth of other bacterial forms.

Which of the following statements regarding gonorrhea is correct?

Painful urination is a common symptom of gonorrhea in both men and women.

Patient complaints of pain during intercourse, lower abdominal discomfort, and nausea may be indicative of which of the following?

Pelvic inflammatory disease.

When caring for a female patient who has been sexually assaulted, you should:

Place any bloodstained clothing or other articles in separate paper bags.

If a patient with vaginal bleeding presents with a rapid pulse and pale or cool skin, you should:

Place the patient in a supine position with her legs elevated.

Law enforcement personnel request your assistance to assess a 31-year-old female who was sexually assaulted. When you arrive at the scene, you find the patient sitting on a curb outside her apartment. She is conscious, alert, and crying. When you ask her what happened, she tells you that she does not want to be treated or transported to the hospital. She further tells you that all she wants to do is clean up. You should:

Provide emotional support and visually assess her for obvious trauma.

Which of the following statements regarding rape is correct?

Rape is a legal diagnosis, not a medical diagnosis.

Which of the following drugs is commonly referred to as "roofies"?

Rohypnol.

Some women experience ___________ during ovulation.

Slight cramping.

The EMT should ensure that vaginal bleeding is _________.

Taken seriously and the patient is transported for gynecologic evaluation.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) typically does NOT affect the:

Urinary bladder.