There is a protocol for abdominal pain. Which statement is true?

• A. Abdominal pain protocol to guide management exists.
• B. Abdominal pain should be managed only with analgesics.
• C. Abdominal pain protocols require immediate surgical evaluation on scene.
• D. Abdominal pain is not addressed in EMS guidelines.

Answer: (A)

Protocols exist to guide management of abdominal pain in EMS, providing a structured approach to assessment, treatment, and disposition. This ensures providers systematically evaluate potential causes, monitor vital signs, identify red flags (such as signs of surgical emergencies, dehydration, or pregnancy-related concerns), and apply approved analgesia within the protocol. It also clarifies when to escalate care or transport promptly to the hospital, rather than relying solely on pain relief or on-scene decisions. The idea that pain relief is the only step, or that a surgical evaluation must happen immediately on scene, or that abdominal pain isn’t addressed at all, doesn’t align with how EMS guidelines are designed.