NREMT Paramedic Practice

What is one of the symptoms of Abruptio Placentae?

1. Excessive fetal movement

2. Severe hypertension

3. Painful contractions

4. Prolonged labor

The correct answer is: Painful contractions

In cases of Abruptio Placentae, one of the hallmark symptoms is painful contractions. This condition involves the premature detachment of the placenta from the uterine wall, which can lead to significant abdominal pain and contractions that are often intense and can be accompanied by uterine irritability. Unlike some other conditions that may not present with pain or contractions, Abruptio Placentae typically manifests with these painful symptoms due to the stress and trauma caused to the uterine tissue and the surrounding structures. Other options, while related to pregnancy complications, do not specifically correlate with the primary symptoms of Abruptio Placentae. For instance, excessive fetal movement may occur in different contexts without indicating a detachment of the placenta, severe hypertension, although a concerning sign in pregnancy, is more closely associated with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia, and prolonged labor usually signifies a different set of complications rather than directly indicating Abruptio Placentae. Therefore, the association of painful contractions with this condition underscores its diagnosis and urgency.