Acute Abdominal Emergencies
From Bradys’ Emergency Care 10th Edition
1. Which organ is responsible for storing bile before it is released into the
intestine?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Appendix
Stomach
Gallbladder
Pancreas
2. What should be done in the second step of an assessment of the patient
with abdominal distress?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Apply oxygen
Take history
Perform size-up
Expose the site
3. What additionally information should be gathered from a female
abdominal patient who is 30 years old?
a)
b)
c)
d)
If
If
If
If
she
she
she
she
believes
believes
believes
believes
she
she
she
she
has food poisoning
has diabetes
could be pregnant
could be having an allergic reaction
4. What is a protrusion of the intestine through the abdominal wall?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Ulcer
Renal colic
Hernia
Aneurysm
5. How many sections is the abdomen divided into?
a)
b)
c)
d)
4
8
6
2
6. Where does an ectopic pregnancy occur?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Outside of the abdomen
Outside of the uterus
Inside of the appendix
Inside of the uterus
7. Which type of questions should be asked when getting details on how the
patient with abdominal distress is feeling?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Yes or no
Open-ended
True or false
Closed-ended
8. How can blood in vomit appear?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Maroon
Coffee-ground
Tarry
Tea-leaves
9. Which type of abdominal pain is a localized, intense pain?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Referred
Parietal
Visceral
Tearing
10. What is the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Duodenum
Peritoneum
Viscereal
Pariteal
11. Which is NOT the most common type of abdominal pain?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Tearing
Parietal
Referred
Visceral
12. Which quadrant is the pain in with appendicitis?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Left lower
Right upper
Right lower
Left upper
13. How should oxygen be administered to the abdominal patient?
a)
b)
c)
d)
10
10
10
10
to
to
to
to
15
15
15
15
lpm
lpm
lpm
lpm
by
by
by
by
n-95 mask
pocket face mask
nonrebreather mask
bag-valve mask
14. When will the signs of shock become apparent when assessing a patient
with abdominal distress?
a)
b)
c)
d)
SAMPLE history
Physical exam
Initial assessment
Scene size-up
15. Which should never be done with an abdominal pain?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Give medication by mouth
Administer oxygen
Lay in the recumbent position
Treat for shock
16. Where is the pain of gallstones often referred to?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Pelvis
Arm
Stomach
Shoulder
17. What is the area outside of the membrane that lines the abdomen?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Retroviscereal
Retroduodenum
Retroperitoneal
Retroparteal
18. What would indicate an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Pulsating
Pulsating
Pulsating
Pulsating
tick
knot
mass
vein
19. How often should vital signs be taken in a patient complaining of
abdominal pain?
a)
b)
c)
d)
10 minutes
5 minutes
15 minutes
20 minutes
20. What is called when the patient draws the arms down across the
stomach?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Protecting
Guarding
Lowering
Kneeling
21. When should the area of the stomach with the pain be palpated?
a)
b)
c)
d)
First
Second
Last
Third
22. Which type of abdominal pain is poorly localized, dull or diffuse pain that
arises from the abdominal organs?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Visceral
Tearing
Referred
Parietal
23. What information should be gathered once the signs and symptoms are
obtained in the abdominal patient?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Past history
Last oral intake
Medications
Allergies