1.
A 33-year-old woman with a recent history of pelvic inflammatory disease presents with a sudden onset of lower abdominal pain. Upon exam, her abdomen is found to be slightly distended and is diffusely tender to palpation. Based on your findings thus far, you should suspect:
A.
cholecystitis.
B.
peritonitis.
C.
appendicitis.
D.
pancreatitis.
2.
When palpating the abdomen of a patient who is complaining of severe nontraumatic pain, the EMT-B should:
A.
place the patient supine with his or her knees extended to relax the abdominal muscles.
B.
have the patient walk approximately 15' to assess for pain upon movement.
C.
identify the area of pain and palpate that area last during your assessment.
D.
palpate the abdomen by firmly pressing the tips of your fingers into the abdomen.
3.
Which of the following signs or symptoms would you be LEAST likely to find when assessing a patient suspected of having an acute abdomen?
A.
Rapid, shallow breathing
B.
A tense, nondistended abdomen
C.
Tachycardia and hypotension
D.
Constipation or bloody diarrhea
4.
A patient with an acute abdomen will have a pulse rate that is:
A.
absent.
B.
slow.
C.
rapid.
D.
irregular.
5.
A patient with severe abdominal pain has a blood pressure of 90/60 mm Hg, a heart rate of 120 beats/min, and rapid, shallow breathing. Your most important concern for this patient should be:
A.
to provide pain relief with analgesics.
B.
to reassure the patient during transport.
C.
to monitor vital signs every 15 minutes.
D.
to know that the patient is in hypovolemic shock.
6.
A 70-year-old man calls EMS because of an onset of abdominal pain that radiates to his back. His blood pressure is 98/66 mm Hg; heart rate, 100 beats/min; and respirations, 26 breaths/min and slightly shallow. Management for this patient should include:
A.
providing oxygen via nasal cannula at 6 L/min.
B.
palpating the abdomen firmly to assess for rigidity.
C.
immediately transporting the patient to the closest appropriate hospital.
D.
placing the patient on his left side and elevating his legs.
7.
A condition in which a person suffers from a loss of hunger or appetite is called:
A.
colic.
B.
emesis.
C.
ileus.
D.
anorexia.
8.
An ectopic pregnancy would most likely occur:
A.
within the uterus.
B.
in the abdominal cavity itself.
C.
between 6 - 8 weeks of gestation.
D.
after the end of the third month of pregnancy.
9.
An acute abdomen can also result from:
A.
cardiac problems.
B.
gynecologic problems.
C.
epidermal problems.
D.
respiratory problems.
10.
Which of the following organs is found in the retroperitoneal cavity?
A.
Small intestine
B.
Bladder
C.
Pancreas
D.
Kidneys
11.
Which of the following abdominal problems would be LEAST likely to present with fever in the early stages?
A.
Appendicitis
B.
Cholecystitis
C.
Diverticulitis
D.
Peritonitis
12.
Patients with congenital defects, such as those around the umbilicus, are prone to:
A.
appendicitis.
B.
a hernia.
C.
pancreatitis.
D.
cholecystitis.
13.
A young male complains of excruciating pain in the right lower quadrant of his abdomen and pain near the umbilicus. His skin is warm and dry and his heart rate is 120 beats/min. These findings are most suggestive of:
A.
cholecystitis.
B.
pancreatitis.
C.
appendicitis.
D.
diverticulitis.
14.
If a hernia is incarcerated and the contents are so greatly compressed that circulation is compromised, the hernia is said to be:
A.
compromised.
B.
reduced.
C.
ruptured.
D.
strangulated.
15.
When caring for a patient with an acute abdomen, the EMT-B should:
A.
provide the patient with plenty of water.
B.
administer an analgesic.
C.
not give anything by mouth.
D.
keep the patient sitting up.
This is the end of the test. When you have completed all the questions and reviewed your answers, press the button below to grade the test.