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EMT Chapter 14
The Acute Abdomen
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11/22/2008

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Term
acute abdomen
Definition
a condition of sudden onset of pain within the abdomen, usually indicating peritonitis; immediate medical or surgical treatment is necessary
Term
aneurysm
Definition
a swelling or enlargement of a part of an artery, resulting from weakening of the arterial wall
Term
anorexia
Definition
lack of appetite for food is called?
Term
appendicitis
Definition
inflammation of the appendix
Term
cholecystitis
Definition
inflammation of the gallbladder
Term
colic
Definition
acute, intermittent cramping abdominal pain
Term
cystitis
Definition
inflammation of the bladder
Term
diverticulitis
Definition
bulging out of intestinal rings in small pockets at weak areas in the muscle walls, creating abdominal discomfort
Term
emesis
Definition
vomiting
Term
guarding
Definition
involuntary muscle contrations (spasm) of the abdominal wall, an effort to protect the inflamed abdomen
Term
hernia
Definition
the protrusion of a loop of an organ or tissue through an abnormal body opening
Term
ileus
Definition
paralysis of the bowel, arising from any one of several causes; stops contractions that move material through the intestine
Term
pancreatitis
Definition
inflammation of the pancreas
caused by a blocking gallstone, alcohol abuse, and other diseases.
because the pancreas is retroperitoneal pain is often referred to the back
Term
peritoneum
Definition
the membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering the abdominal organs
Term
peritonitis
Definition
inflamation (irritation) of the peritoneum. Any foreign material such as blood, pus, bile, pancreatic juice, or amniotic fluid, can cause irritation of the peritoneum.
Term
referred pain
Definition
pain felt in an area of the body other than the area where the cause of pain is located
Term
strangulation
Definition
complete obstruction of blood circulation in a given organ as a result of compression or entrapment; an emergency situation causing death of tissue
Term
ulcer
Definition
erosion of the stomach or intestinal lining
Term
parietal peritoneum
Definition
lines the abdominal cavity
Term
visceral peritoneum
Definition
covers the organs themselves
Term
peritoneal fluid
Definition
A liquid that is made in the abdominal cavity to lubricate the surface of the tissue that lines the abdominal wall and pelvic cavity and covers most of the organs in the abdomen
Term
retroperitoneal
Definition
behind the peritoneum.
organs such as kidneys, ovaries, and the pancreas
Term
ulcers
Definition
the most common abdominal problems
Term
gallstones
Definition
can form and block the outlet from the gallbladder, causing pain. If they dont pass can lead to severe inflammation of the gallbladder called cholecystitis
Term
pancreas
Definition
forms digestive juices and insulin
Term
peritonitis
Definition
the pain, tenderness, and abdominal distention associated with an acute abdomen are signs of?
Term
peritonitis
Definition
______________ may be caused by any condition that allows pus, blood, feces, urine, gastric juice, intestinal contents, bile, pancreatic juice, amniotic fluid, or other foreign material to lie within or adjacent to the peritoneum
Term
signs and symptoms of acute abdomen
Definition
pain, nausea, vomiting, and a tense, distended abdomen
Term
common causes of an acute abdomen
Definition
appendicitis, perforated ulcer, cholecystitis, strangulated hernia, and diverticulitis.
Term
referred pain
Definition
Pain that occurs because of the connections between the two different nervous systems supplying the parietal peritoneum and the visceral peritoneum is called?
Term
You do not give the patient with acute abdomen anything by mouth because?
Definition
The bowel is likely paralyzed, making it impossible for food to pass out of the stomach
Term
cystitis
Definition
the bladder infection more common in women is?
Term
ovaries, fallopian tubes, or uterus
Definition
Always consider a woman with lower abdominal pain and tenderness may have a problem related to her?
Term
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Definition
A common cause of an acute abdomen in women that is an infection of the fallopian tubes and surrounding tissues of the pelvis is?
Term
ectopic pregnancy
Definition
When a fertilized egg has come to lie in an area outside the uterus usually a fallopian tube
Term
hernias can occur as a result of:
Definition
congenital defect, as around the umbilicus
a surgical wound that has failed to heal properly
some natural weakness in an area such as in the groin
Term
reducible
Definition
When the hernia disappears back into the body cavity in which it belongs the hernia is said to be?
Term
incarcerated
Definition
If a hernia cannot be pushed back within the body this is said to be?
Term
signs and symptoms of a serious hernia problem:
Definition
- a clear statment that a mass that was reducible can no longer be pushed back inside the body
- pain at the hernia site
- tenderness when the hernia is palpated
- red or blue skin discoloration over the hernia
Term
emesis (vomiting)
Definition
When nothing eaten can pass normally out of the stomach or through the bowel the only way the stomach can empty itself is by?
Term
loss of appetite (anorexia)
Definition
a universal complaint in gastrointestinal and abdominal disease or injury?
Term
tachycardia and hypotension
Definition
If peritonitis has progressed a patient will present with _________
Term
common signs and symptoms of an acute abdomen:
Definition
- local or diffuse abdominal pain and/or tenderness
- a quiet patient who is guarding the abdomen (in shock)
- anorexia, nausea, vomiting
- tense, often distended, abdomen
- constipation or bloody diarrhea
- hypotension
- fever
- rebound tenderness
Term
somatic nervous system
Definition
sensory nerves from the spinal cord to the skin and muscles are part of the:
Term
abdominal aortic aneurysm
Definition
severe back pain may be associate with -
Term
parietal
Definition
the peritoneal membrane that can perceive the sensations of pain, pressure,and cold is the:
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