You are called for a woman with severe abdominal pain.During your assessment and interview,she tells you that she is sexually active and there is a chance she could be pregnant.Her vital signs are pulse 122,respirations 22,blood pressure 96/62,and skin cool and pale.You should immediately suspect:

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The combination of severe abdominal pain, vital signs indicating shock (tachycardia, tachypnea, hypotension, cool and pale skin) and a history of sexual activity warrant immediate suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy, which is a medical emergency. Placenta previa may cause vaginal bleeding, but usually not severe abdominal pain. Appendicitis typically does not cause shock symptoms. Internal bleeding could be a possibility but given the patient's history, ectopic pregnancy should remain the top differential diagnosis.

You Are Called for a Woman with Severe Abdominal Pain