Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

Which of the following symptoms indicates a potential injury to the diaphragm?

1. Hiccups and abdominal pain

2. Difficulty swallowing and chest pain

3. Severe back pain and bilateral weakness

4. Nausea and headache

The correct answer is: Hiccups and abdominal pain

The presence of hiccups along with abdominal pain is a significant indicator of a potential injury to the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a muscle that plays a critical role in respiration, and it is directly linked to the phrenic nerve. When there is an injury or irritation to the diaphragm, it can lead to involuntary contractions, resulting in hiccups. Abdominal pain may accompany this since the diaphragm is located at the boundary of the thoracic and abdominal cavities, and any injury or irritation can influence both areas. Other symptoms that were provided do not specifically suggest diaphragm involvement. Difficulty swallowing and chest pain usually relate more to esophageal or cardiac issues rather than a diaphragm injury. Severe back pain and bilateral weakness point towards neurological or musculoskeletal conditions, and nausea and headache generally suggest gastrointestinal or neurological problems rather than issues stemming from diaphragm dysfunction. Thus, the combination of hiccups and abdominal pain strongly correlates with diaphragm injury.