How to Assess the Seriousness of an Abdominal Injury

Abdominal injuries can be serious--even life threatening. An abdominal injury can be complicated because of the internal organs that are within the abdominal cavity. Here's how to assess the seriousness.

Things You'll Need

• Latex-free gloves
• Face mask
• Safety goggles
• Large sterile dressing(s)
• Sterile saline solution

Instructions

1. Protect yourself first. As in all emergency situations, the rescuer (you) needs to make sure it is safe to help the patient. After you make sure that the scene is safe for you to enter, you need to don your gloves, face mask and goggles. This will prevent the transmission of blood-borne pathogens (hepatitis and HIV viruses).

2. Determine the method (cause) of the injury. Did your patient suffer a penetrating wound, such as a gun shot or stabbing? Did he suffer a blunt trauma, such as being hit, or hitting an object (think car accident or fall)? Did she suffer an evisceration (exposed or protuding internal organs)?

3. Examine your patient for the following signs and symptoms: nausea, pain, cramping, guarding of the area (the patient may be curled up in the fetal position), deep cuts (lacerations) or puncture wounds, large bruises, stiffness or tenderness, and/or swelling of the abdomen. He may be vomiting blood or display extreme thirst.

4. Keep the patient's airway open!

5. If there is an open wound (skin is broken) you will need to control the bleeding with a sterile dressing. If there are exposed organs do not try to push them back into the body--don't even touch the exposed tissue! Cover it with a large dressing that you have dampened with the sterile saline solution.

6. If your patient has a penetrating object do not remove it--that is a job for a surgeon. Secure it in place with dressings and bandage in place.

7. Treat your patient for shock. Cover her with a blanket. Try and have the patient bend her knees to relax the abdominal muscles. Even if she begs for water--do not give it to her. This may cause vomiting.

8. An abdominal wound is a high-priority transport. If there will be a delay in getting him to a trauma center, considering calling for an air evacuation for your patient.

Tips & Warnings

• This is in no way intended as medical advice. Always call 911, or your local emergency number, too.

• A patient may cough up blood, or something that looks like coffee grounds--this is partially digested blood, and an indication of serious injury.