Gastrointestinal and Urologic Emergencies Practice Flashcards

Flashcards covering the anatomy, physiology, and diverse medical conditions associated with abdominal and urologic emergencies as detailed in the EMT training material.

Solid Organs

Abdominal organs which include the liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, and ovaries (in women); an injury to these can cause bleeding and shock.

Hollow Organs

Abdominal organs including the gallbladder, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and urinary bladder; perforation of these causes leakage and contamination of the abdominal cavity.

Retroperitoneal

The space behind the peritoneum; technically houses the kidneys, ovaries, and the pancreas.

Amylase

An enzyme secreted by the pancreas that helps break down starches into sugar.

Peristalsis

A wavelike contraction of smooth muscle that moves waste matter through the digestive system.

Spleen

An organ located in the abdomen that is part of the lymphatic system; it assists in blood filtration, removes old red blood cells, recycles iron, and serves as a blood reservoir.

Kidneys

Solid organs that regulate acid-base balance and blood pressure, rid the body of toxic wastes, and control fluid and electrolyte balance.

Peritoneum

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

Peritonitis

Irritation of the peritoneum caused by foreign material such as blood, pus, bile, pancreatic juice, or amniotic fluid.

Acute Abdomen

A medical term referring to the sudden onset of abdominal pain, often associated with severe, progressive problems requiring medical attention.

Ileus

Paralysis of the muscular contractions that normally propel material through the intestine; often caused by peritonitis.

Emesis

The medical term for vomiting.

Referred Pain

Pain perceived at a distant point on the surface of the body, such as the back or shoulder, resulting from connections between the somatic and autonomic nervous systems.

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)

Condition where the protective layer of mucus in the stomach and duodenum is eroded, often due to $Helicobacter\text{ }pylori$ infection or chronic use of NSAIDs.

helicobacter pylori infection

a common stomach condition caused by spiral-shaped bacteria that damage the protective lining of the stomach and small intestine. Most people have no symptoms, but it can lead to gastritis or painful sores called peptic ulcers

What are NSAIDs and how do they contribute to peptic ulcer disease?

NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) are medications used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and lower fever. They can contribute to peptic ulcer disease by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which protect the stomach's lining. Prolonged use can lead to erosion of the protective mucus, resulting in ulcers.

Hematemesis

The vomiting of blood, which may appear bright red or like coffee grounds.

Melena

Black, tarry stools containing blood.

Cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder wall, typically occurring when gallstones block the outlet of the gallbladder.

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas, which can be caused by obstructing gallstones, alcohol use, or other diseases.

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is a painful inflammation of the appendix, a small, finger-shaped pouch attached to the large intestine. Initially presenting with dull, diffuse pain in the umbilical area that later localizes to the right lower quadrant. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate care to prevent the appendix from bursting and spreading a life-threatening infection throughout the abdomen

Rebound Tenderness

A symptom of peritoneal irritation where the patient feels pain when pressure is quickly released from the abdomen during palpation.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

A condition in which the sphincter between the esophagus and stomach opens, allowing stomach acid to move up into the esophagus; also known as acid reflux.

Esophageal Varices

Abnormal blood vessels in the esophagus that occur when pressure increases within the vessels, frequently as a result of liver failure and cirrhosis.

Mallory-Weiss Tear

A tear in the junction between the esophagus and the stomach, leading to severe bleeding; alcohol use disorder is a leading cause.

Gastroenteritis

A family of conditions involving infection with diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting; diarrhea is the principal symptom.

Diverticulosis

The presence of pouches called diverticula created by increased pressure on weak areas of the colon.

Diverticulitis

Localized inflammation and infection occurring when feces becomes trapped within diverticula pouches.

Hemorrhoids

Swelling and inflammation of the blood vessels surrounding the rectum, which may be internal or external.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)

A condition where the wall of the aorta develops weak areas that swell; rupture causes massive hemorrhage and signs of hemorrhagic shock.

Hernia

The protrusion of an organ or tissue through a hole or opening into a body cavity where it does not belong.

Incarcerated Hernia

A hernia where the mass cannot be pushed back into the body cavity.

Strangulation

A serious medical emergency where the blood supply to the contents of an incarcerated hernia is compromised.

Cystitis

Inflammation of the bladder, generally caused by a bacterial infection, also referred to as a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Uremia

A condition resulting from kidney failure where the waste product, urea, remains in the blood instead of being excreted.

Renal Calculi

The medical term for kidney stones, formed when chemicals crystallize in the urine.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

A sudden decrease in kidney function, possibly over a few days, which can often be reversed with prompt treatment.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Irreversible kidney disease that develops over months and years, often caused by diabetes and hypertension.

Vasovagal Response

Condition in which the heart rate drops dramatically and the patient becomes dizzy or syncopal, sometimes stimulated by straining during a bowel movement.

Guarding

Involuntary boardlike muscle spasm of the abdominal wall to protect the abdomen from further irritation.

Hemodialysis

A procedure where the patient's blood is filtered and cleansed of toxins by a machine and then returned to the body.

Fistula

A surgically created connection between a vein and an artery used for dialysis access.

Thrill

A vibration felt when gently palpating a healthy dialysis fistula, caused by high-pressure blood flow.

Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)

A treatment where dialysis fluid circulates within the peritoneal cavity and urea/toxins diffuse across the peritoneum into the fluid.

Appendicitis

RLQ pain (starts near belly button), nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, rebound tenderness, guarding. Common vital signs include mild fever, HR increased (tachycardia), BP usually normal unless ruptured.

Peritonitis

Severe diffuse abdominal pain, rigid 'board-like' abdomen, guarding, rebound tenderness. Common vital signs include increased HR, increased RR, fever, BP decreased if shock develops, SpO2 may be normal initially.

Cholecystitis (Gallbladder)

RUQ pain after fatty meal, pain to right shoulder/back, nausea, vomiting. Common vital signs include mild fever, increased HR, BP usually normal.

Pancreatitis

Severe epigastric pain radiating to back, nausea, vomiting, abdominal tenderness. Common vital signs include increased HR, increased RR, fever, BP may decrease if severe.

Peptic Ulcer

Burning upper abdominal pain, nausea. Common vital signs usually normal unless bleeding.

GI Bleed

Vomiting blood, coffee-ground emesis, black tarry stool, weakness, dizziness. Common vital signs include increased HR, decreased BP, increased RR, pale/cool/clammy skin, signs of shock.

Bowel Obstruction

Cramping pain, abdominal distention, vomiting, constipation, no gas. Common vital signs include increased HR, increased RR, fever may occur, BP normal early then decreases if shock.

Gastroenteritis

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps. Common vital signs include increased HR from dehydration, BP may decrease, fever common, dry mucous membranes.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)

Sudden severe abdominal/back pain, pulsating abdominal mass, weakness. Common vital signs include increased HR, decreased BP, increased RR, cool clammy skin, shock.

Kidney Stones

Sudden flank pain radiating to groin, blood in urine, nausea, restless. Common vital signs include increased HR from pain, BP usually normal or slightly increased, afebrile unless infection.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Burning urination, frequency, urgency, lower abdominal pain. Common vital signs include mild fever possible, increased HR slightly, BP usually normal.

Pyelonephritis (Kidney Infection)

Flank pain, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, dysuria. Common vital signs include fever, increased HR, increased RR, BP normal unless septic.

Acute Kidney Failure

Decreased urine output, swelling, weakness, confusion. Common vital signs include BP often decreased, HR variable, increased RR may occur if fluid overload.

Urinary Retention

Unable to urinate, bladder fullness, lower abdominal pain. Common vital signs usually normal unless severe pain (increased HR).

Ectopic Pregnancy

Missed period, lower abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, shoulder pain. Common vital signs include increased HR, decreased BP if ruptured, increased RR, shock if significant bleeding.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Lower abdominal pain, fever, vaginal discharge, painful urination. Common vital signs include fever, increased HR, BP usually normal.

Ovarian Cyst (Ruptured)

Sudden one-sided pelvic pain, nausea, light vaginal bleeding. Common vital signs include increased HR, BP normal unless heavy internal bleeding.

Preeclampsia

Severe headache, facial/hand edema, vision changes, RUQ pain (pregnant >20 weeks). Common vital signs include BP ≥140/90, HR variable, possible protein in urine.

Testicular Torsion

Sudden severe testicular pain, swelling, nausea, vomiting. Common vital signs include increased HR from pain, BP usually normal.