You are transporting a male patient with a deep stab wound to the groin, with damage also noted to the genitalia following an assault by his girlfriend. The patient is alert and oriented, albeit restless. Vital signs on scene were pulse, 128 beats/min; respirations, 20 breaths/min; blood pressure, 108/64 mmHg; and SpO2, 92%. Oxygen is being administered via nasal cannula. Upon reassessment, which sign would be most concerning to the EMT?

When managing abdominal trauma, EMTs should keep exposed organs sterile and moist. They should also: Remove all clothing Roll the patient to find all injuries, including exit wounds Control bleeding Cover wounds with sterile gauze or abdominal pads Gently drape the pads over the wound Not push abdominal contents back into the body cavity  Early management of abdominal trauma includes: Hemostatic resuscitation Permissive hypotension Damage control surgery Naso/orogastric tube (N/OGT) Urinalysis Imaging  The most reliable signs and symptoms of blunt abdominal trauma in alert... Show more

When managing abdominal trauma, EMTs should keep exposed organs sterile and moist. They should also:
Remove all clothing
Roll the patient to find all injuries, including exit wounds
Control bleeding
Cover wounds with sterile gauze or abdominal pads
Gently drape the pads over the wound
Not push abdominal contents back into the body cavity 

Early management of abdominal trauma includes:
Hemostatic resuscitation
Permissive hypotension
Damage control surgery
Naso/orogastric tube (N/OGT)
Urinalysis
Imaging 

The most reliable signs and symptoms of blunt abdominal trauma in alert patients are: Pain, Tenderness, Gastrointestinal hemorrhage, Hypovolemia, and Evidence of peritoneal irritation. 
The most important initial concern in the evaluation of a patient with blunt abdominal trauma is assessment of hemodynamic stability. 

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