ATI Capstone Class Exam Week 12 Related

Review ATI Capstone Class Exam Week 12 related questions and content

A nurse is caring for a client who has a suspected ectopic pregnancy at 8 weeks of gestation. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect to identify as consistent with the diagnosis?

  • A. Large amount of vaginal bleeding
  • B. Uterine enlargement greater than expected for gestational age
  • C. Severe nausea and vomiting
  • D. Unilateral, cramp-like abdominal pain
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Unilateral, cramp-like abdominal pain is a classic symptom of an ectopic pregnancy. This pain occurs due to the fallopian tube stretching or rupturing as the embryo grows. This is different from a normal intrauterine pregnancy, where the pain would be central or bilateral.
A: Large amount of vaginal bleeding is not a typical symptom of an ectopic pregnancy.
B: Uterine enlargement greater than expected for gestational age would be seen in a normal intrauterine pregnancy, not an ectopic pregnancy.
C: Severe nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of early pregnancy but are not specific to ectopic pregnancy.
In summary, the key to identifying an ectopic pregnancy is recognizing the combination of abdominal pain and the location of the pain.