Gynecologic Emergencies Chapter 21 Gynecologic Emergencies

Introduction Women are uniquely designed to conceive and give birth. Women are susceptible to problems that do not occur in men.

Anatomy and Physiology (1 of 8) Ovaries are a primary female reproductive organ. Lie on each side of lower abdomen Produce ovum (egg) Each ovary produces an ovum in alternating months. Each month one ovum is released into fallopian tubes (ovulation).

Anatomy and Physiology (2 of 8) Some women experience cramping during ovulation. Fallopian tubes connect each ovary with the uterus. Fallopian tubes are primary location for fertilization. Uterus is a muscular organ where fetus grows.

Anatomy and Physiology (3 of 8) Narrowest part of uterus is cervix. Cervix opens into the vagina. Vagina is outermost cavity of woman’s reproductive system. Forms the lower part of birth canal. Sperm is deposited from the male penis, passes through cervix to uterus, and up the fallopian tubes.

Anatomy and Physiology (4 of 8) If fertilization does not occur within about 14 days of ovulation: The lining of the uterus begins to separate, and menstruation occurs for about a week. Process of menstruation is controlled by female hormones.

Anatomy and Physiology (5 of 8)

Anatomy and Physiology (6 of 8) Female genitalia Vaginal opening Urethra Labia majora and labia minora Clitoris Perineum is area of skin between vagina and anus.

Anatomy and Physiology (7 of 8)

Anatomy and Physiology (8 of 8) Puberty is when ovulation and menstruation begin. Onset of menstruation is called menarche. Occurs between ages 11 and 16 Women continue ovulation and menstruation until menopause. Occurs around age 50 years

Pathophysiology Causes of gynecologic emergencies are varied. Range from sexually transmitted diseases to trauma.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) Infection of upper organs of reproduction Uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes Occurs almost exclusively in sexually active women Can result in ectopic pregnancy or sterility Most common sign is generalized lower abdominal pain

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (1 of 3) STDs can lead to more serious conditions, such as PID. Chlamydia Common STD Affects an estimated 2.8 million Americans each year Usually mild or absent symptoms Can spread to rectum and progress to PID

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (2 of 3) Bacterial vaginosis Most common conditions to afflict women Normal bacteria in vagina are replaced by an overgrowth of other bacteria. Untreated, it can progress to premature birth weight or low birth weight in pregnancy, and PID.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (3 of 3) Gonorrhea Grows and multiplies rapidly in warm, moist areas of reproductive tract Cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes in women Urethra in men and women If untreated, can enter bloodstream and spread to other parts of body

Vaginal Bleeding (1 of 2) Bleeding may be considered menstrual bleeding even though it is not. Possible causes include: Abnormal menstruation Vaginal trauma

Vaginal Bleeding (2 of 2) Possible causes (cont’d): Ectopic pregnancy Spontaneous abortion Cervical polyps Cancer

Patient Assessment (1 of 2) Obtaining an accurate and detailed assessment is critical. May not be able to make specific diagnosis in the field A thorough patient assessment will help determine just how sick the patient is and whether lifesaving measures should be initiated.

Patient Assessment (2 of 2) Patient assessment steps Scene size-up Primary assessment History taking Secondary assessment Reassessment

Scene Size-up (1 of 2) Scene safety Gynecologic emergencies can involve large amounts of blood. Involve police if assault is suspected. In sexual assault, it is important to have a female EMT to provide care.

Scene Size-up (2 of 2) Mechanism of injury/nature of illness Often understood from dispatch information For example, sexual assault Sometimes will not emerge until patient history For example, abdominal pain as a symptom

Primary Assessment (1 of 2) Form a general impression Is the patient stable or unstable? Use AVPU scale. Airway and breathing Always evaluate first to ensure adequacy. Circulation Pulse, and skin color, temperature, and moisture can help identify blood loss.

Primary Assessment (2 of 2) Transport decision Most cases are not life threatening. If signs of shock exist because of bleeding, rapid transport is warranted.

History Taking Investigate chief complaint. SAMPLE history Some questions are extremely personal. Ensure that her privacy and dignity are protected. SAMPLE history Note allergies and current medications. Ask about last menstrual period and STDs. If bleeding, how many pads used in 1 hour

Secondary Assessment (1 of 3) Physical examinations For a gynecologic patient, should be limited and professional. Protect woman’s privacy Limit the number of personnel present. Use external pads to control vaginal bleeding. Observe for vaginal discharge.

Secondary Assessment (2 of 3) Vital signs Asses patient’s vital signs, including: Heart rate, rhythm, and quality Respiratory rate, rhythm, and quality Skin color, temperature, and condition Capillary refill time Blood pressure Note presence of tachycardia and hypotension.

Secondary Assessment (3 of 3) Monitoring devices Use of pulse oximetry should be routine. Consider noninvasive blood pressure monitoring to continuously track patient’s blood pressure. Assess first blood pressure with sphygmomanometer and stethoscope.

Reassessment (1 of 2) Repeat the primary assessment. Interventions Very few with a gynecologic emergency For vaginal bleeding Treat for hypoperfusion or shock.

Reassessment (2 of 2) Communication and documentation Communicate all relevant information to staff at receiving hospital. Including possibility of pregnancy Carefully document everything, especially in cases of sexual assault.

Emergency Medical Care (1 of 3) Maintain patient’s privacy as much as possible. If in a public place, consider moving to ambulance. Determining cause of bleeding is of less importance than treating for shock and transporting.

Emergency Medical Care (2 of 3) Most women will use sanitary pads to control bleeding before you arrive. You may continue that approach. External genitals have a rich nerve supply. Makes injuries very painful

Emergency Medical Care (3 of 3) Treat external lacerations with moist, sterile compresses. Use local pressure to control bleeding. Use diaper-type bandage to hold dressings in place. Do not pack or place dressings in the vagina.

Assessment and Management of Specific Conditions (1 of 5) Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) A patient with PID will complain of abdominal pain. Usually starts during or after menstruation May be made worse by walking Prehospital treatment is limited. Nonemergency transport is usually recommended.

Assessment and Management of Specific Conditions (2 of 5) Sexual assault Sexual assault and rape are common. 1 of 3 women will be raped in her lifetime. 1 of 4 women will be sexually molested. EMTs treating victims of sexual assault face many complex issues.

Assessment and Management of Specific Conditions (3 of 5) Sexual assault (cont’d) You may be first person victim has contact with after the encounter. How you manage situation may have lasting effects for patient and you. Important: professionalism, tact, kindness, sensitivity

Assessment and Management of Specific Conditions (4 of 5) Sexual assault (cont’d) You can generally expect police involvement. Attempts to gather detailed report from victim may cause her to “shut down.” If possible, give the option of being treated by a female EMT.

Assessment and Management of Specific Conditions (5 of 5) Sexual assault (cont’d) Your focus: Provide medical treatment of patient. Offer psychological care of patient. Preserve evidence. Ask patient not to clean herself. Offer to call a local sexual assault crisis center. Take history. Produce a patient care report.

Summary (1 of 12) Women’s bodies are uniquely designed to conceive and give birth. This difference makes women susceptible to a number of problems that do not occur in men.

Summary (2 of 12) If fertilization of the ovum does not occur within about 14 days of ovulation, the lining of the uterus begins to separate, and menstruation occurs for about a week.

Summary (3 of 12) When a girl reaches puberty, she begins to ovulate and experience menstruation. Women continue to experience ovulation and menstruation until menopause.

Summary (4 of 12) The causes of gynecologic emergencies are varied and range from sexually transmitted diseases to trauma.

Summary (5 of 12) Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the female upper organs of reproduction. It is the most common gynecologic reason why women access emergency medical services.

Summary (6 of 12) Sexually transmitted diseases can lead to more serious conditions, such as pelvic inflammatory disease.

Summary (7 of 12) Because menstrual bleeding is a monthly occurrence in most females, vaginal bleeding that is the result of other causes may be initially overlooked.

Summary (8 of 12) Some possible causes of vaginal bleeding include: Abnormal menstruation Vaginal trauma Ectopic pregnancy Spontaneous abortion Cervical polyps Miscarriage Cancer

Summary (9 of 12) There are very few interventions in the prehospital setting. Maintain the patient’s privacy as much as possible.

Summary (10 of 12) EMTs called on to treat a victim of sexual assault, molestation, or actual or alleged rape face many complex issues. Medical issues Psychological issues Legal issues

Summary (11 of 12) You may be the first person a sexual assault victim has contact with. Experience may have lasting effects for the patient and you.

Summary (12 of 12) Professionalism, tact, kindness, and sensitivity are of paramount importance in treating an assault victim.

Review What is the narrowest portion of the uterus? Vagina Cervix Fallopian tubes Ovaries

Review Answer: B Rationale: The ovaries are the primary female reproductive organ. The developing embryo travels into the uterus through the fallopian tube. The embryo attaches to the uterine wall and continues to grow. The narrowest portion of the uterus is the cervix, which opens into the vagina.

Review (1 of 2) What is the narrowest portion of the uterus? Vagina Rationale: The vagina is the outermost cavity of the woman’s reproductive system. Cervix Rationale: Correct answer

Review (2 of 2) What is the narrowest portion of the uterus? Fallopian tube Rationale: The fallopian tubes are not part of the uterus. They connect each ovary with the uterus. Ovaries Rationale: The ovaries are located on each side of the abdomen and are not part of the uterus.

Review What is the outermost cavity of a woman’s reproductive system? Cervix Ovaries Vagina Uterus

Review Answer: C Rationale: The vagina is the outermost cavity of a woman’s reproductive system.

Review (1 of 2) What is the outermost cavity of a woman’s reproductive system? Cervix Rationale: The cervix opens into the vagina. Sperm passes through the cervix to the uterus and up the fallopian tubes. Ovaries Rationale: The ovaries are located on each side of the lower abdomen.

Review (2 of 2) What is the outermost cavity of a woman’s reproductive system? Vagina Rationale: Correct answer Uterus Rationale: The uterus is the muscular organ where the fetus grows during pregnancy.

Review If fertilization has not occurred within about ___ days following ovulation, the lining of the uterus begins to separate and menstruation occurs. 8 10 12 14

Review Answer: D Rationale: Women menstruate about 14 days following ovulation.

Review (1 of 2) If fertilization has not occurred within about ___ days following ovulation, the lining of the uterus begins to separate and menstruation occurs. 8 Rationale: Women menstruate about 14 days following ovulation. 10 Rationale: Women menstruate about 14 days following ovulation.

Review (2 of 2) If fertilization has not occurred within about ___ days following ovulation, the lining of the uterus begins to separate and menstruation occurs. 12 Rationale: Women menstruate about 14 days following ovulation. 14 Rationale: Correct answer.

Review The onset of menstruation is called: menopause. menarche. ovulation. bleeding.

Review Answer: B Rationale: Menarche is the onset of menstruation, typically occurring for the first time between the ages of 11 and 16 years.

Review (1 of 2) The onset of menstruation is called: menopause. Rationale: Menopause is when the cycle of ovulation and menstruation cease. menarche. Rationale: Correct answer

Review (2 of 2) The onset of menstruation is called: ovulation. Rationale: Ovulation occurs each month when one ovum is released into the fallopian tube. premenstrual syndrome Rationale: Premenstrual syndrome involves symptoms that typically occur before menstruation.

Review Sexually transmitted diseases, such as untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia, can lead to a more serious condition known as: pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). virginities. herpes. None of the above

Review Answer: A Rationale: Sexually transmitted diseases can lead to more serious conditions, such as PID. For example, untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia often progress to PID.

Review (1 of 2) Sexually transmitted diseases, such as untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia, can lead to a more serious condition known as: pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Rationale: Correct answer virginities. Rationale: Virginities is the quality or state of being a virgin.

Review (2 of 2) Sexually transmitted diseases, such as untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia, can lead to a more serious condition known as: herpes. Rationale: Untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia do not lead to herpes. Herpes is a viral infection. None of the above Rationale: The correct answer is pelvic inflammatory disease.

Review What is the most common presenting sign of PID? Vomiting Vaginal discharge Lower abdominal pain Fever

Review Answer: C Rationale: Lower abdominal pain is the most common sign of pelvic inflammatory disease.

Review (1 of 2) What is the most common presenting sign of PID? Vomiting Rationale: Vomiting is considered to be another sign of PID. Vaginal discharge Rationale: Vaginal discharge is considered to be another sign of PID.

Review (2 of 2) What is the most common presenting sign of PID? Lower abdominal pain Rationale: Correct answer Fever Rationale: Fever is considered to be another sign of PID.

Review When obtaining a SAMPLE history, which of the following pieces of information is important to obtain? Use of a birth control device or birth control pills The date of the patient’s last menstrual period The possibility of pregnancy All the above

Review Answer: D Rationale: When obtaining a SAMPLE history, the EMT should inquire about the patient’s medications. The EMT must ask about the use of birth control pills or birth control devices and ask specifically about the patient’s last menstrual period. The EMT should also inquire about the possibility of sexually transmitted diseases and the possibility of pregnancy.

Review (1 of 2) When obtaining a SAMPLE history, which of the following pieces of information is important to obtain? Use of a birth control device or birth control pills Rationale: The EMT should also inquire about the possibility of pregnancy and the date of the last menstrual period. The date of the patient’s last menstrual period Rationale: The EMT should also inquire about the use of birth control pills and devices and the possibility of pregnancy.

Review (2 of 2) When obtaining a SAMPLE history, which of the following pieces of information is important to obtain? The possibility of pregnancy Rationale: The EMT should also inquire about the use of birth control pills and devices and the date of the last menstrual period. All the above Rationale: Correct answer

Review What is the EMT’s FIRST priority when dealing with a patient experiencing excessive vaginal bleeding? Determine the cause of the bleeding. Treat the patient for shock and transport. Determine if the bleeding is a result of sexual assault. Keep the patient warm and apply oxygen.

Review Answer: B Rationale: Determining the cause of the bleeding is less important than treating for shock and transporting the patient. EMTs can control the bleeding by using sanitary pads on the external genitalia. When treating for shock, the EMT must place the patient in the appropriate position, keep her warm, and apply oxygen.

Review (1 of 2) What is the EMT’s FIRST priority when dealing with a patient experiencing excessive vaginal bleeding? Determine the cause of the bleeding. Rationale: Determining the cause of the bleeding is less important than treating for shock and transporting the patient. Treat the patient for shock and transport. Rationale: Correct answer

Review (2 of 2) What is the EMT’s FIRST priority when dealing with a patient experiencing excessive vaginal bleeding? Determine if the bleeding is a result of sexual assault. Rationale: This information will be handled by the hospital staff and police. Keep the patient warm and apply oxygen. Rationale: This step is only part of treating the patient for shock.

Review Sexual assault and rape are crimes. As an EMT treating a patient who is a victim of a sexual assault or rape, how would you preserve any evidence, such as clothing or bloodstained articles, that is removed from the patient? Place it in a paper bag. Place it in a plastic bag. Place it in a sealed paint container. Any of the above

Review Answer: A Rationale: The EMT has a responsibility to preserve any evidence collected at a crime scene. Do not cut through any clothing or throw away anything from the scene. Place bloodstained articles in a paper bag (not a plastic bag). Paper bags allow wet items to dry naturally, whereas plastic bags may cause mold to grow, which would destroy biologic evidence.

Review (1 of 2) Sexual assault and rape are crimes. As an EMT treating a patient who is a victim of a sexual assault or rape, how would you preserve any evidence, such as clothing or bloodstained articles, that is removed from the patient? Place it in a paper bag. Rationale: Correct answer Place it in a plastic bag. Rationale: A plastic bag allows for mold to grow, essentially destroying biologic evidence.

Review (2 of 2) Sexual assault and rape are crimes. As an EMT treating a patient who is a victim of a sexual assault or rape, how would you preserve any evidence, such as clothing or bloodstained articles, that is removed from the patient? Place it in a sealed paint container. Rationale: A sealed paint container is hard to obtain in the field. Any of the above Rationale: Place each piece of evidence in separate paper bags.

Review Discourage a rape or sexual assault victim from doing the following: Urinating Cleaning herself Changing clothes All of the above

Review Answer: D Rationale: A victim of sexual assault or rape should be discouraged from showering, urinating, changing clothes, moving bowels, or rinsing out her mouth in order to preserve evidence.

Review (1 of 2) Discourage a rape or sexual assault victim from doing the following: Urinating Rationale: The victim should not urinate in order to preserve evidence. Cleaning herself Rationale: The victim should not clean herself in order to preserve evidence.

Review (2 of 2) Discourage a rape or sexual assault victim from doing the following: Changing clothes Rationale: The victim should not change her clothes in order to preserve evidence. All of the above Rationale: Correct answer

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