Nokea
A patient who had premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) earlier in the pregnancy at 28 weeks returns to the labor unit 1 week later complaining that she is now in labor. The labor and birth nurse performs the following assessments. The vaginal exam is deferred until the physician is in attendance. The patient is placed on electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) and a baseline FHR of 130 bpm is noted. No contraction pattern is observed. The patient is then transferred to the antepartum unit for continued observation. Several hours later, the patient complains that she does not feel the baby move. Examination of the abdomen reveals a fundal height of 34 cm. Muscle tone is no different from earlier in the hospital admission. The patient is placed on the EFM and no fetal heart tones are observed. What does the nurse suspect is occurring?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Hidden placental abruption. In this scenario, the patient had a history of PROM at 28 weeks, which puts her at risk for placental abruption due to the weakened membranes. The sudden onset of decreased fetal movement and absence of fetal heart tones on EFM indicate a potential emergency. The fundal height of 34 cm suggests the baby is at term, ruling out placental previa or preterm labor. Active labor typically presents with contractions, which are not observed in this case. Placental abruption can be concealed, leading to a sudden decrease in fetal well-being. The nurse should suspect hidden placental abruption and notify the physician immediately for further evaluation and intervention.