Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Test

What is the recommended treatment approach for abdominal eviscerations?

1. Administer oxygen 100%

2. Place the patient on the left side

3. Treat for shock with moist, sterile, fiber-free occlusive dressing

4. Completely shut off the vessels delivering blood to the heart

The correct answer is: Treat for shock with moist, sterile, fiber-free occlusive dressing

The recommended treatment approach for abdominal eviscerations involves using a moist, sterile, fiber-free occlusive dressing. This technique is crucial for protecting the exposed organs from contamination and preventing further tissue damage. The moist dressing provides a protective barrier, while being fiber-free helps to minimize irritation to the exposed abdominal contents. This approach is essential as it stabilizes the situation and helps to maintain an appropriate environment for the organs until definitive medical care can be provided. Administering 100% oxygen, while generally beneficial for many medical emergencies, is not specific to the management of eviscerations. Placing the patient on their left side could potentially aid in certain situations, but it does not directly address the urgent need to protect the abdominal contents. Completely shutting off blood vessels supplying the heart is not a viable treatment option and could lead to severe complications. Therefore, the correct action in the case of abdominal eviscerations is to use a moist, sterile, fiber-free occlusive dressing to safeguard the patient's condition effectively.