What might occur when a hollow organ is punctured during an abdominal injury?

What might occur when a hollow organ is punctured during an abdominal injury?

• A. It commonly protrudes through the injury site.
• B. It will bleed profusely and rapidly cause shock.
• C. The abdomen will become instantly distended.
• D. Peritonitis might not develop for several hours.

Answer: (D)

When a hollow organ, such as the intestines or stomach, is punctured due to an abdominal injury, the contents of that organ can spill into the abdominal cavity. This introduces bacteria and digestive fluids, which can lead to inflammation of the peritoneum, a condition known as peritonitis. The important aspect of this scenario is that peritonitis does not usually manifest immediately. It often develops over a period of time as the inflammatory response escalates. Therefore, the statement that peritonitis might not develop for several hours is accurate because it highlights the fact that there can be a delayed onset of symptoms. This delay can vary depending on factors such as the volume of contents spilled, the specific organ involved, and how quickly the body reacts to the injury. In contrast, while it is possible for contents to leak into the abdomen, immediate protrusion of the organ itself through the injury site is less common. Similarly, while bleeding can occur from solid organs or blood vessels nearby, hollow organ perforation typically leads to contamination rather than profuse external bleeding. Lastly, while the abdomen can become distended, this often occurs after some time post-injury rather than instantly.

When a hollow organ, such as the intestines or stomach, is punctured due to an abdominal injury, the contents of that organ can spill into the abdominal cavity. This introduces bacteria and digestive fluids, which can lead to inflammation of the peritoneum, a condition known as peritonitis.

The important aspect of this scenario is that peritonitis does not usually manifest immediately. It often develops over a period of time as the inflammatory response escalates. Therefore, the statement that peritonitis might not develop for several hours is accurate because it highlights the fact that there can be a delayed onset of symptoms. This delay can vary depending on factors such as the volume of contents spilled, the specific organ involved, and how quickly the body reacts to the injury.

In contrast, while it is possible for contents to leak into the abdomen, immediate protrusion of the organ itself through the injury site is less common. Similarly, while bleeding can occur from solid organs or blood vessels nearby, hollow organ perforation typically leads to contamination rather than profuse external bleeding. Lastly, while the abdomen can become distended, this often occurs after some time post-injury rather than instantly.