Download Lesson 11: Abdominal Illness

Lesson 11:
Abdominal Illness
Objectives
• Demonstrate a field assessment for abdominal
pain/discomfort
• List signs/symptoms of serious abdominal
problems
• Define and describe treatment of and long term
care for stomachache and diarrhea
• Describe situations that would require evac
versus rapid evac
• Describe personal/camp hygiene to help prevent
abdominal issues
Abdominal Illness Overview
• Abdominal pain can be common
• May never know source of the problem
• When taking SAMPLE history ask about
abdominal pain/discomfort
• To assess, press gently on four quadrants
with fingers flat on abdomen. Start away
from the pain
• Note results in assessment
Checking and Caring for
Stomache
• Gastritis: inflammation of stomach lining,
causes most stomachs
• Signs/symptoms?
– Gradually increasing/widespread discomfort,
often worse in lower region
– Intermittent cramping
– Nausea and vomiting
– diarrhea
Care for Stomachaches
• Keep Patient well hydrated
• Provide bland diet, if not vomiting
• Maintain good hygiene to keep from
spreading
Caring for Diarrhea
• Diarrhea: frequent loose and watery
stools, may also have stomachache
• Gastroenteritis: mild inflammation of
gastrointestinal tract
– If mild, have patient drink water or diluted
sports drink/non citrus fruit juice
– If persistent, requires aggressive electrolyte
replacement.
• 1 teaspoon salt, 8 teaspoons sugar/qt
Caring for Diarrhea
• If patient not vomiting
– Feed with rice, grains, bananas, potatoes or
other bland items
– Avoid fats, dairy products, caffeine, alcohol
• OTC medications can be used if available
Serious Abdominal Pain
• Signs and Symptoms?
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Fever higher than 102F
Persistent pain for more than 12 hrs
Localized pain, especially if patient guards area
Tenderness, rigidity, swelling
Pain increases with movement, walking, etc
Blood in vomit, feces, or urine
• In vomit looks like coffee grounds
• In feces may be black like tar
• In urine appears light brown to reddish
Guidelines for Evacuation
• GO SLOW with any person that has
persistent abdominal discomfort
• GO FAST for any patient with
signs/symptoms of serious abdominal pain
Preventing Abdominal Pains
• Keys for Personal and Group Hygiene?
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Wash hands with soap and water
Don’t eat leftover food unless properly stored
Bury human waste >200 feet from water source
Do not share personal eating utensils
Do not put personal eating utensils in group food pot
Keep kitchen clean, disinfect all pots/utensils prior to
using
– Disinfect all drinking water
Methods for Disinfecting Water
• Boiling: rolling boil for at least 1 min
(longer at higher elevations)
• Chemical treatment, as directed for
particular treatment
• Filtration: removes bacteria, may not get
all viruses
• Ultraviolet light devices
Questions???
What else could you add to your
First Aid Kit?