Chapter 24: Gynecologic Emergencies

If fertilization has not occurred within about ___ days following ovulation, the lining of the uterus begins to separate, and menstruation occurs.

14

You should discourage a rape or sexual assault victim from doing which of the following?

A victim of sexual assault or rape should be discouraged from showering, urinating, changing clothes, moving bowels, or rinsing out her mouth in order to preserve evidence

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

Bacterial vaginosis

What is the narrowest portion of the uterus?

Cervix

Which of the following can cause vaginal bleeding?

Ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, and trauma can cause vaginal bleeding and should not be overlooked.

The onset of menstruation is called:

Menarche

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 pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is correct?

PID can scar the fallopian tubes, which increases the risk of an ectopic pregnancy.

Which of the following statements regarding gonorrhea is correct?

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

Which of the following drugs is commonly used to facilitate sexual assault?

Rohypnol

What is the EMT's FIRST priority when dealing with a patient experiencing excessive vaginal bleeding?

Treat the patient for shock and transport

What is the outermost cavity of a womans reproductive system?

Vagina

When obtaining a SAMPLE history, which of the following pieces of information is important to obtain?

When obtaining a SAMPLE history, the EMT should inquire about the patient's medications. The EMT must ask about the use of birth control pills or birth control devices and ask specifically about the patient's last menstrual period. The EMT should also inquire about the possibility of sexually transmitted diseases and the possibility of pregnancy.

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.

During your assessment of a young female with nontraumatic vaginal bleeding, you note that her level of consciousness is decreased, her respirations are rapid and shallow, her skin is cool and moist, and her pulse is rapid and weak. You should:

assist her ventilations with a bag-mask device.

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

becomes engorged with blood

General treatment for a woman with vaginal bleeding and shock following sexual assault includes all of the following, EXCEPT:

carefully removing any foreign bodies from the vagina.

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.

Whenever possible, a female sexual assault victim should be

given the option of being treated by a female EMT

As a woman approaches menopause:

her menstrual periods may become irregular and vary in severity.

When documenting a call in which a female was sexually assaulted, you should:

keep the report concise and record only what the patient stated in her own words.

The physical examination of a sexual assault victim should be:

limited to a brief survey for life-threatening injuries.

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.

Potentially life-threatening consequences of PID include:

ovarian abscess and ectopic pregnancy.

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.