| Patients with blunt abdominal trauma may have both abdominal and extraabdominal injuries making the overall prehospital assessment difficult. Blunt forces can compress the abdominal viscera against the posterior thoracic cage or spinal column crushing tissue and organs. As we remember from our initial EMT programs, solid organs bleed, hollow organs spill their contents. Abnormal vital signs, such as hypotension and a rigid abdomen, are always cause for concern and require rapid assessment, treatment and transport to a facility capable of performing emergency surgery. | | | |