[SEM2 OB-GYNE] Hemorrhage in Pregnancy/ Abortion & Ectopic Pregnancy Flashcards
Which type of abortion is most likely associated with profuse vaginal bleeding?
Choices:
A. Inevitable abortion
B. Missed abortion
C. Threatened abortion
D. Incomplete abortion
D. Incomplete abortion
High-Yield Rationale:
Incomplete abortion presents with profuse vaginal bleeding due to partial expulsion of the products of conception while some remain in the uterus. This retained tissue causes the uterus to contract irregularly, leading to significant bleeding.
Why not the others:
A. Inevitable abortion – Cervix is open with products in utero but no expulsion yet; bleeding is usually moderate.
B. Missed abortion – No bleeding; fetus nonviable but retained.
C. Threatened abortion – Cervix is closed with only mild spotting, no passage of tissue.
A 24-year-old patient, 18 weeks amenorrhea, presents with vaginal spotting. No fetal heart tones are appreciated by Doppler. The cervix is closed and the uterus is enlarged to 14-week size with no bleeding noted per vaginal canal. The working diagnosis is Missed Abortion. What is the first step in management?
Choices:
A. Dilatation and Curettage
B. Prostaglandin vaginal suppository
C. Oxytocin IV drip
D. Observation
B. Prostaglandin vaginal suppository
High-Yield Rationale:
At 18 weeks, the appropriate management for missed abortion is medical induction of uterine evacuation using prostaglandins. Surgical options like D&C are less preferred at this gestational age due to increased uterine size and risk of complications.
Why not the others:
A. Dilatation and Curettage – Preferred only for <12–14 weeks gestation.
C. Oxytocin IV drip – Less effective than prostaglandins for 2nd trimester evacuation.
D. Observation – Not advisable as retention increases risk of coagulopathy and infection.
A 28-year-old, G2P1, 6 weeks gestation presents with vaginal spotting. Abdomen is soft and non-tender. Cervix is closed and uterus is enlarged to 6-week size. Impression is Threatened Abortion. Which differential diagnosis should be highly considered?
Choices:
A. Missed miscarriage
B. Ectopic pregnancy
C. Molar pregnancy
D. Inevitable abortion
B. Ectopic pregnancy
High-Yield Rationale:
In early pregnancy with spotting, ectopic pregnancy must always be ruled out even if the cervix is closed. It may present similarly to threatened abortion, but missing an ectopic can be life-threatening.
Why not the others:
A. Missed miscarriage – No bleeding expected; often asymptomatic.
C. Molar pregnancy – Usually presents with exaggerated symptoms like hyperemesis and larger uterine size.
D. Inevitable abortion – Cervix is open, which is not the case here.
A 30-year-old, G5P3, with 12 weeks amenorrhea presents with intermittent vaginal spotting and hypogastric pain. On exam, cervix is closed, uterus is 12-week size, and fetal heart tones are present by Doppler. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Choices:
A. Threatened abortion
B. Hydatidiform mole
C. Inevitable miscarriage
D. Ectopic gestation
A. Threatened abortion
High-Yield Rationale:
Threatened abortion presents with a closed cervix, live intrauterine pregnancy (confirmed via FHT), and mild spotting or pain. No expulsion of products has occurred.
Why not the others:
B. Hydatidiform mole – FHT would not be present; usually no live fetus.
C. Inevitable miscarriage – Cervix is open and FHT usually absent.
D. Ectopic gestation – Uterus is not typically enlarged to gestational age and FHT wouldn’t be detected intrauterinely.
A 19-year-old primigravid at 16 weeks’ gestation presents with watery vaginal discharge and lumbosacral pain. On exam, cervix is open, membranes are ruptured, and uterus is 16-week size. What is the most appropriate management?
Choices:
A. Oxytocin IV drip
B. Watchful waiting
C. Tocolysis
D. Curettage
A. Oxytocin IV drip
High-Yield Rationale:
Second-trimester inevitable abortion with ruptured membranes and open cervix should be managed with oxytocin-induced evacuation. The goal is to complete the abortion and prevent infection.
Why not the others:
B. Watchful waiting – Increases risk of infection (e.g., chorioamnionitis).
C. Tocolysis – Contraindicated when membranes have ruptured.
D. Curettage – Not the first-line in second trimester unless bleeding is heavy or incomplete abortion occurs.
A 32-year-old, G4P0(0-0-3-0), at 28 weeks’ gestation had a cervical cerclage placed at 16 weeks. She is advised strict prenatal follow-up and must rush to the hospital at the onset of labor pains to prevent which complication?
Choices:
A. Intrauterine infection
B. Antepartum hemorrhage
C. Uterine rupture
D. Fetal demise
C. Uterine rupture
High-Yield Rationale:
Labor with an intact cerclage may cause mechanical resistance to cervical dilation, increasing the risk of uterine rupture. Patients must report immediately when labor begins so the cerclage can be removed.
Why not the others:
A. Intrauterine infection – A risk with prolonged rupture, not directly from labor with cerclage.
B. Antepartum hemorrhage – Not the direct risk in this context.
D. Fetal demise – A possible complication of uterine rupture, but not the primary concern triggering immediate hospital rush.
A 28-year-old, 6 weeks pregnant, presents with vaginal spotting and a positive pregnancy test. Transvaginal ultrasound is non-diagnostic. Serum beta-hCG is <1,500 mIU/mL. When should the repeat assay be done to rule in/out uterine pregnancy, abortion, or ectopic pregnancy?
Choices:
A. 24 hours
B. 48 hours
C. 72 hours
D. 96 hours
B. 48 hours
High-Yield Rationale:
Serum beta-hCG should be repeated in 48 hours to assess for appropriate doubling. In viable intrauterine pregnancies, hCG rises by at least 66% every 48 hours. A plateau or suboptimal rise suggests ectopic or failed pregnancy.
Why not the others:
A. 24 hours – Too early for meaningful trend evaluation.
C. 72 hours – Acceptable in practice but 48 hours is standard.
D. 96 hours – Delay could risk missing ectopic pregnancy diagnosis.
What is the cause of recurrent pregnancy loss in patients with Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APAS)?
Choices:
A. Increased prostacyclin release
B. Placental thrombosis and infarction
C. Increased platelet activation
D. Protein C activation
B. Placental thrombosis and infarction
High-Yield Rationale:
APAS is an autoimmune thrombophilic condition that causes fetal loss due to placental infarction from thrombosis, impairing perfusion.
Why not the others:
A. Increased prostacyclin release – Prostacyclin is vasodilatory and antithrombotic, not prothrombotic.
C. Increased platelet activation – May occur but not the primary mechanism for fetal loss.
D. Protein C activation – Protein C is anticoagulant; deficiency is more relevant to thrombosis, not activation.
On her 6th hour post-partial salpingectomy for ruptured tubal gestation, a 25-year-old patient passed tissue per vagina. What is the most probable identity of the flesh-like tissue?
Choices:
A. Placental tissues
B. Organized blood clot
C. Products of conception
D. Decidual cast
D. Decidual cast
High-Yield Rationale:
After ectopic pregnancy surgery, decidual changes in the endometrium may slough off, presenting as a decidual cast. This is a non-fetal, endometrial structure expelled from the uterus.
Why not the others:
A. Placental tissues – Placenta did not form in the uterus in ectopic pregnancy.
B. Organized blood clot – Lacks structure and shape typical of a decidual cast.
C. Products of conception – Already removed surgically from the tube.
A 37-year-old, G4P0(0-0-3-0), at 18 weeks gestation has had repeated 2nd-trimester miscarriages described as watery discharge followed by expulsion. On exam, cervix is 2 cm dilated, uneffaced, with prolapsing membranes. FHT is (+). What is the likely cause of her recurrent pregnancy loss?
Choices:
A. Septate uterus
B. Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APAS)
C. Incompetent cervix
D. Asherman syndrome
C. Incompetent cervix
High-Yield Rationale:
Incompetent cervix presents as painless cervical dilation in the 2nd trimester, often with membrane prolapse and no contractions. It’s a structural cause of recurrent 2nd-trimester losses.
Why not the others:
A. Septate uterus – Causes 1st-trimester losses due to poor implantation.
B. APAS – Thrombotic losses, typically with no cervical changes or membrane prolapse.
D. Asherman syndrome – Associated with intrauterine adhesions causing infertility or amenorrhea, not second-trimester losses.
A 28-year-old, G6P5(5-0-0-5) at 30 weeks’ gestation presents to the ER with profuse, painless vaginal bleeding. BP is 80/50 mmHg, PR is 110/min. Fetal monitoring shows a non-reactive tracing. What is the most appropriate treatment?
Choices:
A. Double set-up examination
B. Cesarean delivery
C. Vaginal delivery
D. Expectant management
B. Cesarean delivery
High-Yield Rationale:
Profuse painless bleeding at 30 weeks with non-reactive fetal tracing is classic for Placenta Previa with fetal compromise. Emergency cesarean delivery is indicated for both maternal stabilization and fetal survival.
Why not the others:
A. Double set-up examination – Contraindicated in suspected placenta previa with active bleeding.
C. Vaginal delivery – Not appropriate with previa and fetal compromise.
D. Expectant management – Unsafe due to hemodynamic instability and fetal distress.
A 40-year-old, G4P3(3-0-0-3), at 37 weeks with Total Placenta Previa undergoes cesarean delivery. After removing the placenta, profuse bleeding occurs at the implantation site. What is the cause of the hemorrhage?
Choices:
A. Poor contractile nature of the lower uterine segment
B. Inability of the active segment to constrict the torn vessels
C. Ineffective hemostasis in the upper uterine segment
D. Failure of the uterine body to contract
A. Poor contractile nature of the lower uterine segment
High-Yield Rationale:
The lower uterine segment lacks the contractile fibers necessary to constrict spiral arteries, leading to significant bleeding when placenta previa is present.
Why not the others:
B. Inability of the active segment to constrict – Irrelevant; bleeding originates from lower segment.
C. Ineffective hemostasis in upper segment – Not applicable in placenta previa.
D. Failure of uterine body to contract – Not the cause in lower segment hemorrhage.
Artificial rupture of membranes is performed on a normotensive G2P1 in labor. Vaginal bleeding and fetal bradycardia occur immediately. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Choices:
A. Uterine rupture
B. Vasa previa
C. Placenta previa
D. Marginal sinus rupture
B. Vasa previa
High-Yield Rationale:
Sudden vaginal bleeding with fetal bradycardia after ROM suggests vasa previa rupture, where fetal vessels traverse the membranes and are torn, causing fetal hemorrhage.
Why not the others:
A. Uterine rupture – Usually in scarred uteri, with severe abdominal pain.
C. Placenta previa – Painless bleeding, not associated with bradycardia post-ROM.
D. Marginal sinus rupture – Minor bleeding, not typically associated with fetal distress.
A 32-year-old, G8P5(5-1-1-6), at 39 weeks undergoes cesarean section for placenta previa. No cleavage plane is identified during placental extraction. What is the most appropriate management?
Choices:
A. Manual removal of the placenta
B. Leave the placenta in place and pack the uterus
C. Prompt removal of the uterus
D. Curettage of the uterine cavity
C. Prompt removal of the uterus
High-Yield Rationale:
No cleavage plane indicates placenta accreta spectrum, which is best managed with total abdominal hysterectomy to prevent life-threatening hemorrhage.
Why not the others:
A. Manual removal – Risk of massive hemorrhage.
B. Leave placenta and pack – Temporary measure, not definitive.
D. Curettage – Contraindicated and ineffective in accreta.
A 45-year-old, G4P3(3-0-0-3) at 35 weeks with 3 prior cesarean deliveries. What complication should be highly suspected?
Choices:
A. Consumptive coagulopathy
B. Utero-placental apoplexy
C. Uterine atony
D. Placenta accreta
D. Placenta accreta
High-Yield Rationale:
Multiple prior cesarean deliveries increase the risk of placenta accreta, especially if placenta previa is also present. Scarring leads to abnormal placental adherence.
Why not the others:
A. Consumptive coagulopathy – May occur secondary to accreta, not primary concern.
B. Utero-placental apoplexy – Rare complication in severe abruption, not cesarean history.
C. Uterine atony – Common postpartum cause of hemorrhage, but not strongly tied to cesarean history alone.
A 26-year-old, G2P1(1-0-0-1), at 33 weeks’ gestation presents with minimal vaginal bleeding. Admitting diagnosis is Placenta Previa. What is the most appropriate treatment?
Choices:
A. Cesarean delivery
B. Vaginal delivery
C. Double set-up examination
D. Expectant management
D. Expectant management
High-Yield Rationale:
In cases of minimal bleeding and stable patient at <36 weeks, the standard approach is expectant management to prolong pregnancy and reduce neonatal prematurity.
Why not the others:
A. Cesarean delivery – Reserved for active bleeding or ≥36–37 weeks.
B. Vaginal delivery – Contraindicated in placenta previa.
C. Double set-up examination – Not indicated in confirmed previa by imaging.
What is the amount (in mL/min) of blood that flows through the intervillous space at term?
Choices:
A. 100 mL/min
B. 300 mL/min
C. 600 mL/min
D. 1,000 mL/min
C. 600 mL/min
High-Yield Rationale:
At term, the intervillous space receives about 600 mL/min of maternal blood, crucial for adequate fetal oxygenation and nutrient delivery.
Why not the others:
A. 100 mL/min – Too low, insufficient to meet fetal demands.
B. 300 mL/min – Still suboptimal.
D. 1,000 mL/min – Exceeds the physiologic uteroplacental flow at term.
In severe forms of Abruptio Placenta, which therapy can prevent acute renal failure?
Choices:
A. Transfusion of packed RBC
B. Transfusion of fresh whole blood
C. Intravenous diuretics
D. Cryoprecipitate
B. Transfusion of fresh whole blood
High-Yield Rationale:
Fresh whole blood restores volume, oxygen-carrying capacity, and clotting factors, maintaining perfusion to vital organs like the kidneys and preventing ischemic acute tubular necrosis.
Why not the others:
A. Packed RBC – Restores oxygenation but lacks volume expanders and clotting factors.
C. IV diuretics – Contraindicated in hypovolemia.
D. Cryoprecipitate – Corrects coagulopathy but does not restore volume.
After cesarean section for Abruptio Placenta, a patient develops profuse bleeding. Labs: Hb 7 mg/dL, Fibrinogen 120 mg/dL, Platelets 40,000/mL, FDPs 110 mg/mL. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Choices:
A. Uterine atony
B. Consumptive coagulopathy
C. Utero-placental apoplexy
D. Couvelaire uterus
B. Consumptive coagulopathy
High-Yield Rationale:
The lab findings (low Hb, low fibrinogen, thrombocytopenia, ↑FDPs) are diagnostic of DIC, which is a severe complication of Abruptio Placenta due to widespread activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis.
Why not the others:
A. Uterine atony – Uterus is boggy but not linked with coagulopathy.
C. Utero-placental apoplexy – Descriptive term for Couvelaire uterus, not a hematologic diagnosis.
D. Couvelaire uterus – Associated with abruptio but not defined by lab derangements.
A 40-year-old, G2P2 presents with hypotension, chest and severe abdominal pain. One hour prior, she delivered spontaneously at home. History includes a prior cesarean delivery. Pelvic exam reveals a contracted uterus with a palpable lower uterine tear through which fingers pass into the peritoneal cavity. What is the diagnosis?
Choices:
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Marginal sinus rupture
C. Abruptio placenta
D. Uterine rupture
D. Uterine rupture
High-Yield Rationale:
The classic triad of sudden abdominal pain, hypotension, and a palpable uterine wall defect in a post-cesarean patient is diagnostic of uterine rupture. Palpation of the defect is pathognomonic.
Why not the others:
A. Pulmonary embolism – Would present with chest pain and dyspnea, not abdominal tear.
B. Marginal sinus rupture – Minor bleeding, no uterine tear.
C. Abruptio placenta – Associated with painful bleeding but no uterine wall disruption.
What is the most common cause of uterine rupture?
Choices:
A. Traumatic genital tract injury
B. Separation of a previous cesarean section scar
C. Internal podalic version
D. Labor induction
B. Separation of a previous cesarean section scar
High-Yield Rationale:
The most common cause of uterine rupture is the separation of a previous uterine scar, especially from a lower segment cesarean section. The scar weakens the uterine wall, especially during labor.
Why not the others:
A. Traumatic genital tract injury – Not the most common cause of rupture; more associated with vaginal/perineal injuries.
C. Internal podalic version – Rarely performed and not a major contributor to rupture risk.
D. Labor induction – Increases risk if there is a uterine scar, but not the primary cause.
What is the most common predisposing factor for Abruptio Placenta?
Choices:
A. Hypertension
B. Uterine myoma
C. Prior abruption
D. Short umbilical cord
A. Hypertension
High-Yield Rationale:
Chronic or pregnancy-induced hypertension causes vasospasm and vascular fragility, making it the most common risk factor for abruptio placenta, especially in severe or poorly controlled cases.
Why not the others:
B. Uterine myoma – May distort placental attachment, but less common cause.
C. Prior abruption – Strong risk factor but not most common.
D. Short umbilical cord – Associated with mechanical causes but rare.
A 28-year-old, G3P2(2-0-0-2), 32 weeks’ gestation with prior cesarean delivery presents with severe abdominal pain and persistent uterine hypertonus. She was kicked in the abdomen by her partner before admission. BP is 80/60, PR is 120/min, FHT is 100/min. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Choices:
A. Placenta previa
B. Abruptio placenta
C. Vasa previa
D. Placenta accreta
B. Abruptio placenta
High-Yield Rationale:
Trauma + uterine hypertonus + abdominal pain + fetal distress + hypotension is classic for abruptio placenta, where premature placental separation causes concealed or revealed hemorrhage and compromise.
Why not the others:
A. Placenta previa – Painless bleeding, no hypertonus or trauma-related origin.
C. Vasa previa – Causes painless bleeding after ROM, not trauma-induced.
D. Placenta accreta – Does not cause acute symptoms; diagnosed on delivery or imaging.
Which of the following cases will most likely present as atony of the lower uterine segment?
Choices:
A. A patient with multifetal gestation at term who delivered both babies via vaginal route under general anesthesia
B. A young primigravid who delivered a macrosomic fetus by cesarean section and bled profusely after birth
C. A patient with twin gestation at term who delivered the second twin by internal podalic version followed by breech extraction
D. A multiparous patient who delivered a preterm fetus by cesarean section due to total placenta previa
D. A multiparous patient who delivered a preterm fetus by cesarean section due to total placenta previa
High-Yield Rationale:
Placenta previa involves implantation in the lower uterine segment, which lacks contractile capacity. After delivery, this area fails to contract properly, leading to uterine segment atony and PPH.
Why not the others:
A. Vaginal twin delivery under GA – May cause uterine atony (not lower segment-specific).
B. Primigravid macrosomic C/S – Uterine overdistension, but bleeding usually from uterine body atony.
C. Breech extraction of second twin – More risk for trauma or inversion, not lower segment atony.