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Issue link: https://emsworld.epubxp.com/i/35512
| By Kevin Collopy, BA, FP-C, CCEMT-P, NREMT-P, WEMT, Jake Kleinman, MD, EMT-D, Sean Kivlehan, MD, MPH, NREMT-P, & Scott Snyder, BS, NREMT-P KEVIN COLLOPY and SCOTT SNYDER are featured speakers at EMS World Expo 2011, Aug. 29–Sept. 2, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV. For more information, visit EMSWorldexpo.com. YChildbearing earsChildbearing Year inin Females of CONTINUING EDUCATION This CE activity is approved by EMS World, an E T i organization accredited by the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS), for 1.5 CEUs. Management of the potentially pregnant female with abdominal pain can be broken down into simple steps Squad 54 has been dispatched to Curtis Hall for a complaint of abdominal pain. As the crew arrives on scene, they are directed to a 19-year-old female lying in bed, clutching her abdomen and complaining of pain. As Michael, the EMT crew chief, begins his assessment, he notes that she is able to talk, indicating that both her airway and breathing are adequate. Her skin is pink and her extremities are warm and dry, indicating that for the moment she has adequate circulation. Michael asks her what is wrong, and she says she is having pain in her lower stomach. Before continuing this scenario, let’s consider abdominal pain in the childbearing-age female. OBJECTIVES • Describe the anatomy of the female abdominal and pelvic cavities. • Describe the components of an effective physical exam of the abdomen and pelvis in the female patient. • List causes of abdominal pain and relate them to specific body systems. • Discuss the prehospital management of the patient with abdominal pain. EMSWORLD.com | JULY 2011 59 Photo by Dan Limmer