Dynamic Learning Exercise =========================- Abdominal Emergencies This exercise is designed to help put a realis;c face on an emergency that is o/en very difficult to assess and diagnose. This group of signs and symptoms helps students iden;fy and relate them to their assessment and care of the pa;ent with an abdominal emergency. Students can use books and other references to complete this assignment. Students usually take 20 – 30 minutes to complete the worksheet. Plan 15 addi;onal minutes for discussion. You are called to the scene of a male with abdominal pain. His hands are across his abdomen and his knees are drawn up toward his chest. Consider each of the following signs and symptoms and evaluate what each would mean if they were found in the pa;ent. Not all signs and symptoms are present at the same ;me. Consider each of them individually. Sign or Symptom Clinical Implicaon O/en indicates shock although the skin changes may Pale, moist skin also be a result of severe pain and the resul;ng sympathe;c nervous system response. Diffuse pain may be visceral (rela;ng to an Diffuse pain organ). This pain is difficult to localize. Localizable pain is pain that a pa;ent can point Localizable Pain to and easily locate. It is called soma;c pain. This may be the result of an abdominal aor;c Tearing pain aneurysm. Shoulder pain may be referred from the Shoulder pain abdomen. Narrow pulse pressure This is an early indicator of shock. This takes pressure off the muscles of the abdominal Knees drawn up to the chest wall and is a posi;on in which pa;ents with abdominal pain o/en place themselves in. Arms folded across the This may be guarding. It is a pa;ent’s way of abdomen protec;ng—or guarding—the abdomen. copyright 2020 Limmer Educa;on, LLC • LimmerEduca;on.com Dynamic Learning Exercise =========================- Abdominal Emergencies You are called to the scene of a male with abdominal pain. His hands are across his abdomen and his knees are drawn up toward his chest. Consider each of the following signs and symptoms and evaluate what each would mean if they were found in the paEent. Not all signs and symptoms are present at the same Eme. Consider each of them individually. Sign or Symptom Clinical Implicaon Pale, moist skin Diffuse pain Localizable Pain Tearing pain Shoulder pain Narrow pulse pressure Knees drawn up to the chest Arms folded across the abdomen copyright 2020 Limmer EducaEon, LLC • LimmerEducaEon.com.