An adult patient has been eviscerated. You should push the protruding organ back in.

• A. True
• B. Cover with sterile dressing
• C. Check pulse
• D. False

Answer: (D)

With an abdominal evisceration, you do not push the protruding organs back in. Replacing them can cause tissue damage, increase infection risk, and complicate later surgery. Instead, protect the organs by covering them with sterile dressings that are moistened with normal saline to keep them moist and minimize contamination, then cover with a dry sterile dressing to secure the moisture. Do not apply pressure or attempt to push them back. Keep the patient warm, position them supine with knees bent if possible to reduce abdominal tension, monitor for signs of deterioration, and arrange rapid transport for definitive care.