Abdominal and thoracic eviscerations require which protocol?

• A. Protocol 27
• B. Protocol 21
• C. Protocol 30
• D. Protocol 32

Answer: (A)

The important concept is protecting exposed organs while getting the patient to definitive care quickly. For abdominal or thoracic eviscerations, the priority is to keep the protruding tissues moist and protected, not to push them back in. You cover the organs with sterile dressings moistened with saline to prevent drying and contamination, then secure the dressings in place. This maintains tissue viability and reduces infection risk while transport is arranged.

Simultaneously, continue high-priority care: monitor breathing and circulation, control bleeding if present, and keep the patient warm. The evisceration protocol is specifically designed for this scenario, so it’s the appropriate one to follow. Other protocols address different injuries and don’t provide the specific steps needed for eviscerations.