EMT chapter 19

acute abdomen

A condition of sudden onset of pain within the abdomen, usually 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

diverticulitis

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 (spam) of the abdominal wall; an effort to protect the inflamed abdomen

hematemesis

Vomiting blood

hernia

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

ileus

Paralysis of the bowel, arising from any 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 crystalizing 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

Sever 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