Course Library

Abdominal Emergencies

Information Covered:

1. Introduction
   1. Epidemiology
      1. Incidence
      2. Mortality/ morbidity
      3. Risk factors
      4. Prevention strategies
2. General pathophysiology, assessment and management
   1. Pathophysiology of abdominal pain
      1. Bacterial contamination
      2. Chemical irritation
      3. Types of abdominal pain
   2. Assessment findings
   3. Focused historyManagement/ treatment plan
3. Specific Injuries/ illness: causes, assessment findings and management for each condition
   1. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding
   2. Lower gastrointestinal bleeding
   3. Liver Diseases
      1. Hepatitis -- See infectious disease
      2. Cirrhosis
      3. Hepatic encephalopathy
   4. Infectious Disorders
      1. Pathophysiology
      2. Signs and symptoms
      3. Peritonitis
      4. Gastroenteritis
   5. Ulcerative Disorders
   6. Irritable bowel syndrome
   7. Inflammatory bowel disease
      1. Ulcerative colitis
      2. Crohn’s disease
      3. Cholecystitis and Biliary Tract Disorders
      4. Pancreatitis
      5. Appendicitis
      6. Diverticulitis
   8. Bowel obstruction
      1. Definition
      2. Small Bowel Obstruction
         1. Causes
         2. Pathophysiology
         3. Morbidity and mortality
         4. Signs and symptoms
         5. Prehospital management
      3. Large Bowel Obstruction
         1. Causes
         2. Pathophysiology
         3. Morbidity and mortality
         4. Signs and symptoms
         5. Prehospital management

1. Hernias

1. Rectal foreign body obstruction
   1. Pass from upper GI tract
   2. Introduced from anus
   3. Signs and symptoms
   4. Management

Content Creator: Joyce Lockwood
CAPCE Course Number: 20-EMTP-F3-1302
NJ Course Number: 141101
Total CE Hours: 1
Level: Basic
EMT-CE uses the NEMSES guidelines as the foundation for every course outline.