Which sign would prompt you to suspect abdominal internal bleeding?

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Multiple Choice

Which sign would prompt you to suspect abdominal internal bleeding?

Abdominal internal bleeding shows itself through signs of peritoneal irritation and diaphragm irritation from blood in the cavity. The key indicators are abdominal tenderness on palpation, a rigid or hard abdomen from guards/rigidity, and distention as blood accumulates. When blood irritates the diaphragm, you can get referred pain to the shoulder, known as Kehr sign. Together, these signs strongly point to intra-abdominal bleeding after trauma and should raise urgent concern for rapid transport and continued monitoring. Normal abdomen with no tenderness does not suggest bleeding. A sudden improvement in abdominal pain after movement is not typical of internal bleeding and would not raise concern for hemorrhage in the abdomen. Chest pain without abdominal signs likewise does not indicate abdominal bleeding.

Abdominal internal bleeding shows itself through signs of peritoneal irritation and diaphragm irritation from blood in the cavity. The key indicators are abdominal tenderness on palpation, a rigid or hard abdomen from guards/rigidity, and distention as blood accumulates. When blood irritates the diaphragm, you can get referred pain to the shoulder, known as Kehr sign. Together, these signs strongly point to intra-abdominal bleeding after trauma and should raise urgent concern for rapid transport and continued monitoring.

Normal abdomen with no tenderness does not suggest bleeding. A sudden improvement in abdominal pain after movement is not typical of internal bleeding and would not raise concern for hemorrhage in the abdomen. Chest pain without abdominal signs likewise does not indicate abdominal bleeding.

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