Question 1

You are examining a 24-year-old female patient with lower quadrant abdominal pain.What is the MOST lethal possibility?

Accepted Answer

A)  Pelvic inflammatory disease 
B)  Ectopic pregnancy 
C)  Cholecystitis 
D)  Mittelschmerz

Question 2

Pain that originates in an organ,such as the intestines,is called ________ pain.

Accepted Answer

A)  visceral 
B)  referred 
C)  acute 
D)  parietal

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a cause of abdominal pain?

Accepted Answer

A)  Stroke 
B)  Food poisoning 
C)  Heart attack 
D)  Diabetes

Question 4

Which of the following is the main focus of the EMT's assessment and history taking of the patient with abdominal pain?

Accepted Answer

A)  Determining the possible need for immediate surgery 
B)  Determining if the patient meets criteria to refuse treatment and transport 
C)  Determining the cause of the pain 
D)  Determining the presence of shock

Question 5

You are called to a residence for a 48-year-old male patient.He is lying in bed and is incoherent.He is unable to follow commands.His blood pressure is 80/40,pulse 136,and respiratory rate of 36.His wife states that he had lower right abdominal pain for about two days and it progressively worsened.He said about an hour ago he had a sudden increase in pain and then became incoherent.The wife states the husband refused to see a doctor before,but she finally called 911.You suspect:

Accepted Answer

A)  appendicitis. 
B)  splenic rupture. 
C)  renal colic. 
D)  peritonitis.

Question 6

You are called to a 25-year-old male complaining of right lower quadrant (RLQ)pain.His other symptoms are nausea and vomiting,fever,and decreasing pain in the umbilicus area.As an EMT,you feel this patient might have:

Accepted Answer

A)  appendicitis. 
B)  pancreatitis. 
C)  cholecystitis. 
D)  peritonitis.

Question 7

Most organs of the abdomen are enclosed within the:

Accepted Answer

A)  extraperitoneal. 
B)  peritoneum. 
C)  retroperitoneal. 
D)  midline.

Question 8

Which of the following is of greatest concern for the EMT in the prehospital care of a woman with vaginal bleeding?

Accepted Answer

A)  Finding out if the patient is currently sexually active 
B)  Monitoring for hypovolemic shock 
C)  Obtaining a thorough gynecological history 
D)  Preventing infection

Question 9

The patient complaining of parietal abdominal pain would concern you the MOST is the one who:

Accepted Answer

A)  walks out to the ambulance informing you he has the worst "belly ache." 
B)  is sitting upright in a chair, moaning in pain, and drinking antacid. 
C)  is rolling about on the floor complaining of pain. 
D)  is lying on the floor very still and quiet with his knees drawn up to his chest.

Question 10

Pain that the patient feels in a body part or area of the body that has nothing to do with a diseased organ is termed:

Accepted Answer

A)  epigastric pain. 
B)  abdominal pain. 
C)  retroperitoneal pain. 
D)  referred pain.

Question 11

Pain felt in the epigastric region of the abdomen is of concern because of the possibility of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  Influenza 
B)  Extreme diarrhea with dehydration 
C)  Myocardial infarction 
D)  Kidney stones

Question 12

Your patient was diagnosed with cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation)three days ago.The patient now presents with nausea,vomiting,and pain in the right shoulder.The pain in the shoulder can be classified as:

Accepted Answer

A)  referred pain. 
B)  visceral pain. 
C)  pancreatic pain. 
D)  somatic pain.

Question 13

Which of the following questions is inappropriate when taking the history of a female patient with abdominal pain?

Accepted Answer

A)  Are you having vaginal bleeding or discharge now? 
B)  What is your sexual orientation? 
C)  Have you had sexual intercourse since your last menstrual period? 
D)  If you are menstruating, is the flow normal?

Question 14

Which of the following questions may help the EMT assess a patient with abdominal pain?

Accepted Answer

A)  Do you have any allergies to foods or medicines? 
B)  Do you have any medical problems, such as diabetes or heart problems? 
C)  What medications are you taking? 
D)  All of the above

Question 15

Which of the following organs is located in the retroperitoneal space?

Accepted Answer

A)  Liver 
B)  Stomach 
C)  Kidneys 
D)  Uterus

Question 16

You respond to the scene of a 50-year-old male complaining of severe abdominal pain.He has a history of alcohol and drug abuse.His vital signs are stable and he presents with epigastric pain that radiates to the back.He has guarding and point tenderness in the upper quadrants.You suspect:

Accepted Answer

A)  cholecystitis. 
B)  myocardial infarction. 
C)  gastroesophageal reflux disease (GER
D) . 
D)  pancreatitis.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a cause of parietal pain?

Accepted Answer

A)  Muscle spasm 
B)  Bleeding into the abdominal cavity 
C)  Inflammation 
D)  Infection

Question 18

With the exception of the ________,most abdominal organs are not able to sense tearing sensations.

Accepted Answer

A)  aorta 
B)  ovaries 
C)  liver 
D)  colon

Question 19

Which of the following is a characteristic of referred pain?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is only felt in hollow organs. 
B)  It is felt in a location other than the organ causing it. 
C)  It is caused by psychological stress. 
D)  It is usually described as "crampy" or "colicky."

Question 20

Which patient is experiencing visceral pain?

Accepted Answer

A)  24-year-old male complaining of severe left flank pain 
B)  19-year-old female complaining of severe cramps in the lower abdominal quadrants 
C)  45-year-old female complaining of abdominal pain "all over" 
D)  28-year-old male with rebound tenderness

Exam 22: Abdominal Emergencies