A 37-year-old, obviously pregnant woman complains of sharp, tearing abdominal pain. She reports that she is pregnant with her fifth child, but states she cannot remember the exact due date. The patient has a history of drug use and states that she last smoked crack cocaine approximately 30 minutes ago. You suspect:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The sharp, tearing abdominal pain and the patient's history of drug use suggest abruptio placentae, which is a serious condition in which the placenta separates from the uterus prematurely. This can be life-threatening to both the mother and the fetus and requires immediate medical attention. The patient's history of drug use may have contributed to this complication.

A 37-Year-Old, Obviously Pregnant Woman Complains of Sharp, Tearing Abdominal