Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam

No pain and bleeding in the third trimester could suggest which condition?

1. Uterine rupture

2. Placenta previa

3. Abdominal trauma

4. Ectopic pregnancy

The correct answer is: Placenta previa

In the context of the third trimester of pregnancy, a lack of pain and bleeding can indicate the presence of placenta previa. This condition occurs when the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix, which can lead to complications during labor. In cases of placenta previa, it is not uncommon for there to be minimal or even absent bleeding until labor begins or until the cervix starts to dilate, whereupon bleeding may occur. If a patient presents with no pain and no bleeding, this might align with a scenario where the placenta is positioned over the cervix but is not yet causing significant symptoms. The other conditions listed typically present with different symptoms. For instance, uterine rupture would generally involve severe pain and potentially significant bleeding, and abdominal trauma often results in noticeable pain. An ectopic pregnancy is less likely in the third trimester and usually presents with pain and sometimes bleeding, but will typically not be a consideration late in pregnancy unless complications arise related to an earlier condition. Thus, in the absence of significant pain and bleeding, placenta previa is a condition that can fit the presentation during the third trimester.