Select the ONE best lettered option that is the most likely diagnosis of vaginal bleeding in pregnancy. Each lettered option may be selected once, more than once, or not at all.
A 28-year-old pregnant woman at 32 weeks' gestation suddenly begins profuse, painless vaginal bleeding. Her prenatal care began at 7 weeks and had been uncomplicated. She last had sexual intercourse 7 days ago. She denies abdominal trauma. Her uterus is soft and nontender, and the fetal heart rate is 132 BPM.
- threatened abortion
- gestational trophoblastic disease
- cervicitis
- placenta previa
- placental abruption
- uterine rupture
- placenta accreta
- uterine inversion
- uterine atony
- vaginal laceration
- tubal pregnancy
Answer(s): D
Explanation:
Painless vaginal bleeding in the third trimester is most often due to a placenta previa. The diagnosis is easily confirmed by abdominal ultrasound. No vaginal/cervical examination or vaginal ultrasound should be done because these may damage the placenta and cause further bleeding and fetal compromise. Delivery is by cesarean section.
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