EMT Chapter 22 Questions
The mechanism behind the cause of tearing pain is:
an injury that occurs to the inner layer of the aorta, causing leaking of blood to the outer layers.
The abdominal region between the abdomen and the back is called the:
retroperitoneal space.
Pain in the gallbladder is often felt in the:
right shoulder.
A patient with an abdominal aortic aneurysm would most likely complain of:
tearing back pain.
The right upper abdominal quadrant contains:
the liver and gallbladder.
Your abdominal pain patient presents with pale, cool skin, tachycardia, and hypotension. You should first:
treat the patient for shock.
Pain in the abdomen that originates from the organs is termed:
visceral pain.
Dull, achy abdominal pain that is difficult to locate is called:
visceral pain.
A patient with an ectopic pregnancy:
will not look pregnant.
Which of the following is a solid abdominal organ?
Liver
Pain from appendicitis begins:
in the area of the umbilicus and is followed by persistent pain in the right lower quadrant.
The pain from a myocardial infarction is often described as:
indigestion or digestive discomfort.
You respond to the scene of a 22-year-old male who was squatting "heavy weights" when he experiences sudden and severe lower midabdominal pain. While assessing the patient, he denies any radiating pain, stating that most of his pain "is near his groin." Based on these findings, what is the patient MOST likely suffering?
A hernia
You are on scene with a 47-year-old female patient complaining of "stomach pain" but who tells you that she thinks she's having a "heart attack." She states she has a history of "gall stones, high blood pressure, and kidney stones." What assessment finding would lead you to believe that the patient may be suffering a myocardial infarction?
Acute epigastric pain
What question should you ask to determine if your female patient is experiencing an ectopic pregnancy?
Are you sexually active?
Why does referred pain occur?
Because of the stimulation of associated nerve pathways
Why is visceral pain more difficult to locate than parietal pain?
Because organs have fewer nerve sensory receptors
What is a condition that is likely to have a clear past history of similar complaints?
Cholecystitis
Which of the following statements is TRUE?
EMTs should not delay transport to determine the specific cause of abdominal pain.
Your patient complains of right shoulder pain. She denies trauma. Which of the following is most likely?
Gallbladder problems
You are treating a patient in his mid-50s who is complaining of acute abdominal distress. When should you consider the use of oxygen therapy?
Oxygen therapy is appropriate if there are signs of hypoxia.
You are assessing a 34-year-old female patient complaining of right lower quadrant pain. What is the proper technique to assess her abdomen?
Palpate the right lower quadrant last.
What is an organ that is part of the retroperitoneal space?
Pancreas
What type pain is also referred to as peritoneal tenderness?
Parietal pain
At what point would you MOST likely become aware that the intake of alcohol is aggravating a patient's chronic pancreatitis?
Past medical history
Your patient presents with abdominal guarding. Which of the following is likeliest to be how this patient is presenting?
Patient draws arms down across the abdomen
You arrive on scene to a 54-year-old male complaining of abdominal pain. He states he does not want to go to the hospital but simply wants you to check his vital signs. As you assess your patient, which assessment finding would lead you to believe he is suffering an acute myocardial infarction?
Patient states dull, cramping pain in his mid-upper abdomen
Your patient is in severe pain, stating that his discomfort radiates from his flank to his groin. You also note that the patient is feeling nausea and cannot find a position of comfort. Based on these assessment findings, what is most likely the cause of his distress?
Renal colic
What is a potential problem of asking a patient directly if she is pregnant?
She may not know.
What organ, consisting of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, takes stomach contents and removes nutrients as it passes its contents to the large intestine?
Small intestine
This is a hollow digestive organ that is expandable.
Stomach
You are assessing a 23-year-old female patient complaining of abdominal pain. Which of the following questions should you ask the patient?
Where are you in your menstrual cycle?
Problems with the kidneys can sometimes present with pain to the:
flank.
Your patient complains of epigastric pain. He tells you he thinks his problem is indigestion, but he took several antacids before your arrival, and they provided no relief. You should suspect:
a cardiac problem.
"Tearing" abdominal pain is most likely caused by an emergency involving the:
aorta.
Cholecystitis pain is often confused with:
chest pain.
Patients who are experiencing a heart attack often complain of:
epigastric pain.
Abdominal pain or discomfort should always be considered an emergency:
even if signs of shock are not present.
The purpose of the spleen is to:
filter blood and aid in the immune response.
The colon is also known as the:
large intestine.
After exposing the abdomen of a patient experiencing abdominal pain, you would:
palpate the abdominal quadrants.
A localized, intense pain that arises from the lining of the abdominal cavity is
parietal pain.
The membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers the organs within it is the:
peritoneum.
You are caring for a 48-year-old female patient who is suffering from abdominal pain. She was released from the hospital earlier in the day and was told that she may have an irritation to the lining of the abdomen caused by an infection. You should suspect:
peritonitis.
Referred pain from cholecystitis typically presents as:
radiating pain to the shoulder.
Nerve pathways from the gallbladder share pathways that sense shoulder pain. This commonly leads to:
referred pain.
Pain that is felt in a place other than where it originates is called:
referred pain.
