EMS Care EMT Chapter 24-MCIT-F3-2136 | Abdominal and Genitourinary Injuries  starts with an introduction to this important topic. This course deals with the anatomy and assessment of Abdominal and Genitourinary. It then further discusses blunt and penetrating abdominal injuries. The lessons covered are

The lessons covered are

• Lesson 1:  Abdominal Anatomy and Assessment
• Lesson 2:  Blunt Abdominal Trauma
• Lesson 3:  Penetrating Abdominal Injuries
• Lesson 4: Genito-urinary System Trauma
• Lesson 5: Special Abdominal or Genito-urinary Considerations

 

Excerpt from EMS Care EMT Chapter 24-MCIT-F3-2136 | Abdominal and Genitourinary Injuries

Entry point location helps predict damaged structures. Anterior wounds might involve hollow organs and major vessels. Flank injuries often damage solid organs like kidneys. Lower chest wounds frequently involve both thoracic and abdominal structures. Always check for multiple entry points and exit wounds. Remember that internal damage extends well beyond visible external injury, particularly with high-velocity trauma. Also, remember that it can sometimes be hard to tell what an entry and an exit are, so avoid making assertions when you document. Not every entry has an exit, so don’t assume that what looks like a superficial “Through-and-through” may, in fact, be two entry wounds on a perpendicular trajectory.

Understanding likely internal trajectories guides our assessment. Bullets rarely travel in straight lines, often deflecting off bone and changing direction. Multiple cavity passes can occur with a single penetration. Vascular injuries might present delayed symptoms due to temporary tamponade. These patients require thorough assessment beyond the obvious entry points. Consider how patient position at time of injury affects potential organ involvement.