Final answer:
Artificial ventilation can cause a condition called gastric distention where the stomach becomes filled with air. Gastric distention may lead to vomiting and potential aspiration. The correct answer is A) gastric distention.
Step-by-step explanation:
Artificial ventilation may result in the stomach becoming filled with air, a condition called gastric distention. This can occur if air is forced into the esophagus and then enters the stomach instead of the lungs during artificial respiration techniques like mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Gastric distention is problematic because it can lead to vomiting, which could cause aspiration (inhalation of vomitus into the lungs) if the patient is unconscious or has a decreased gag reflex. Option B) vomitus is what may occur if the stomach contents are expelled back out of the mouth. Option C) abdominal-thrust maneuver, also known as the Heimlich maneuver (referenced in Figure 16.2.9), is a technique that may be needed to help force an aspirated object out of the respiratory tract. Finally, option D) acute abdomen typically refers to severe, sudden onset abdominal pain which could have a variety of causes, including but not limited to peritonitis, which is inflammation of the peritoneum as stated previously. The correct answer to the question is A) gastric distention.