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CHAPTER 19 Abdominal pain
JJeffrey D. Ferguson and Michael Ferras
Introduction
Patients with abdominal complaints who activate the EMS system can be among the most challenging. Their histories may be nonspecific and their exams and vital signs may be unreliable indicators of the etiology or severity of their illnesses. Vital signs are frequently abnormal in critically ill patients. However, normal vital signs do not preclude the presence of a life‐threatening condition. Certain populations with abdominal pain commonly encountered by EMS personnel may deserve special attention,