Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a cause of uterine bleeding in the first trimester?

1. Molar pregnancy

2. Ectopic pregnancy

3. Gestational hypertension

4. Complete abortion

The correct answer is: Gestational hypertension

Gestational hypertension is not typically recognized as a direct cause of uterine bleeding during the first trimester. In this early stage of pregnancy, bleeding can primarily be linked to more acute factors related to the developing pregnancy itself, such as a molar pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, or complete abortion. Molar pregnancy refers to an abnormal growth of tissue within the uterus, which can lead to bleeding. An ectopic pregnancy, where a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus (commonly in the fallopian tubes), can also cause significant bleeding and is often characterized by abdominal pain as well. Complete abortion denotes a miscarriage where all pregnancy tissue is expelled from the uterus, which usually results in bleeding as well. Gestational hypertension, on the other hand, typically arises later in pregnancy and is associated with high blood pressure rather than immediate causes of bleeding. It generally develops after 20 weeks of gestation, making it unlikely to be a cause of bleeding in the first trimester. Thus, identifying gestational hypertension as the option that does not directly contribute to first-trimester uterine bleeding is aligned with common clinical understandings in obstetrics.