EMT Chapter 19 (Gastrointestinal & Urologic Emergencies)

acute abdomen

A condition of sudden onset of pain within the abdomen, usually indicating peritonitis; immediate medical or surgical treatment is necessary.

appendicitis

Inflammation or infection of the appendix.

cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder.

cystitis

Inflammation of the bladder.

divertilculitis

Inflammation in small pockets at weak areas in the muscle walls of the intestines.

emesis

Vomiting.

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

A condition in which the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach opens, allowing stomach acid to move up into the esophagus, usually resulting in a burning sensation within the chest; also called acid reflux.

guarding

Involuntary muscle contractions (spasm) of the abdominal wall; an effort to protect the inflamed abdomen.

hematemesis

Vomiting blood.

hernia

The protrusion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal body opening.

ileus

Paralysis of the bowel, arising from any one of several causes; stops contractions that move material through the intestine.

kidney stones

Solid crystalline masses formed in the kidney, resulting from an excess of insoluble salts or uric acid crystallizing in the urine; may become trapped anywhere along the urinary tract.

melena

Black, foul-smelling, tarry stool containing digested blood.

pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas.

peritoneum

The membrane lining the abdominal cavity (parietal peritoneum) and covering the abdominal organs (visceral peritoneum).

peritonitis

Inflammation of the peritoneum.

referred pain

Pain felt in an area of the body other than the area where the cause of pain is located.

strangulation

Complete obstruction of blood circulation in a given organ as a result of compression or entrapment; an emergency situation causing death of tissue.

uremia

Severe kidney failure resulting in the buildup of waste products within the blood. Eventually brain functions will be impaired.

urinary tract infection (UTI)

An infection, usually of the lower urinary tract (urethra and bladder) that occurs when normal flora bacteria enter the urethra and grow.

varices

Enlarged, twisted veins. They can occur in various parts of the body, most commonly in the legs and esophagus. In the legs, they are known as varicose veins. In the esophagus, varices are a serious complication of liver cirrhosis and can rupture and bleed, which is a life-threatening situation.