Summary of EMT 5-6: Abdominal/GI and GU/Renal Disorders

00:00:00 - 00:30:00

This video discusses the assessment and management of patients with abdominal complaints, including acute, genitourinary, and renal conditions. It points out that while these conditions can be difficult to diagnose, EMTs are equipped to provide care for patients with these complaints.

• 00:00:00 This module discusses abdominal disorders, including acute abdomen, genitourinary, and renal conditions. The module discusses the assessment findings and treatment of these conditions.
• 00:05:00 This video discusses the various abdominal and genitourinary conditions that can lead to pain. The video also provides a guide to assessing for pain in patients and provides a brief overview of the different conditions that can lead to peritonitis.
• 00:10:00 The video presents common gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, including appendicitis, pancreatitis, and cholecystitis. These conditions can lead to significant health risks for the patient, including ruptured bowel, peritonitis, and shock. In addition, hernias, GI bleeding, and ulcers related to various causes are also discussed.
• 00:15:00 The video discusses the signs and symptoms of various gastrointestinal and renal disorders, including diverticulosis, diverticulitis, and aortic aneurysm. These conditions can be caused by a variety of factors, including dietary choices, smoking, and drinking. If left untreated, these disorders can lead to serious complications, such as internal bleeding, obstruction, or perforation of the stomach or intestines, and peritonitis.
• 00:20:00 EMTs should wear gloves when caring for patients with urinary catheters, assess for signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection, keep the collection bag below the level of the bladder during transport, and ensure the catheter tubing is not tugged, pulled, twisted, or kinked. Kidney (or renal) failure can result from a variety of factors, with hypertension being the most common. Signs and symptoms of kidney failure may include little or no urine production, weight gain related to fluid retention, altered level of consciousness given the build-up of toxins in the body, and shortness of breath related to edema and a back-up of fluid into the lungs. Complications of untreated kidney failure include permanent kidney damage and eventual death. Hemodialysis is the process of mechanically filtering blood to remove toxins and excess fluid from the body. Complications or adverse effects of hemodialysis may include hypotension; muscle cramps; nausea; vomiting; hemorrhage; and, infection, especially at the access site. Hemodialysis access devices include shunts, such as a fistula that connects an artery to a vein (usually in the arm), or a graft that connects an artery and vein with an implanted tube (commonly in the
• 00:25:00 EMTs should perform a thorough abdominal assessment in order to determine the patient's level of consciousness, responsiveness, and any immediate threats to their life. During the assessment, EMTs should look for signs of abdominal distension, bloating, discoloration, and protrusions. If trauma is involved, EMTs should also perform a DCAP/BTLS assessment. If bowel sounds are absent, this may be an indication of a bowel obstruction. If the patient has complaints of pain in a specific quadrant, EMTs should palpate that quadrant last. Additionally, EMTs should document all interventions and the patient's response to those interventions.
• 00:30:00 This video discusses the assessment and management of patients with abdominal complaints, including acute, genitourinary, and renal conditions. It points out that while these conditions can be difficult to diagnose, EMTs are equipped to provide care for patients with these complaints.