Your pregnant patient reports that she feels faint and has severe pain between her shoulder blades. She is hypotensive, has cool and clammy skin, but no bleeding is evident. You should suspect

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described, including faintness, severe pain between the shoulder blades (suggesting referred pain from diaphragmatic irritation), hypotension, and cool, clammy skin without evident bleeding, are indicative of internal bleeding and shock, which are consistent with an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies can cause significant internal bleeding when the embryo implants outside the uterine cavity, often in a fallopian tube, which can rupture. This condition is a medical emergency.

Your Pregnant Patient Reports That She Feels Faint and Has