Reddit reviews Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine Manual, Eighth Edition

I understand how much the BLS sucks, but in times like this, it does come in handy. Let's break down your vague abdo pain call like you described as above. You finish your OPQRST and SAMPLE in about 30 secs, now what.

> 1. consider potential life/limb/function threats, such as,

>a. leaking or ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm,


>b. ectopic pregnancy,

Any chance of pregnancy? G? P? Last menstrual period?
>c. other non-abdominal disorders that may present with abdominal pain, including:


>i. diabetic ketoacidosis, and

Perform glucometry
>ii. pulmonary embolism,

SOB and CP related questioning.
>d. perforated or obstructed hollow organs with or without peritonitis,

>e. acute pancreatitis,

Infection related questioning; fever, chills, NV.

>f. testicular torsion,

>g. pelvic infection, and

>h. strangulated hernia;

Bowel movements, passing gas?

>2. perform, at a minimum, a secondary survey to assess the abdomen for,
i. pulsations,
ii. scars,
iii. discolouration,
iv. distention,
v. masses,
vi. guarding,
vii. rigidity, and
viii. tenderness;


Truth is it takes time to develop your own way to run a call, and that includes your lines of questioning. The BLS is a good resource to get you moving in the right direction. Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine Manual is also an amazing resource I also recommend.

Good luck out on the road!