MATERNAL-CHILD NURSING

MATERNAL-CHILD NURSING A nurse is caring for a client who is at 36 weeks of gestation and who has a suspected placenta previa. Which of the following findings support this diagnosis? Painless red vaginal bleeding Rationale: Placenta previa is a condition of pregnancy when the placenta implants in the lower part of the uterus, partly or completely obstructing the cervical os (outlet to the vagina). Bright red, painless vaginal bleeding occurs in the second and third trimester. Increasing abdominal pain with a nonrelaxed uterus Rationale: Abruptio placenta is separation of the placenta from the site of uterine implantation before delivery of the fetus. When the placenta separates prematurely, there is internal bleeding, which is painful, and the uterus is nonrelaxed or becomes rigid as the separation advances. Abdominal pain with scant red vaginal bleeding Rationale: Placenta previa involves minimal to severe bright red vaginal bleeding in the absence of abdominal pain. Intermittent abdominal pain following passage of bloody mucus Rationale: Intermittent abdominal pain following passage of bloody mucus is a description of normal labor. The passage of bloody mucus represents the loss of the cervical mucous plug, also referred to as the "bloody show."