NURSING 265 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Vaginal Bleeding, Abdominal Cavity, Curettage
Document Summary
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hcg) (3 times over 3 days) Can confirm pregnancy, but cannot confirm live embryo/fetus. May require serial hcg levels to confirm diagnosis. If bleeding persists and abortion is imminent or incomplete. If not expelled within 4 to 6 weeks after embryo or fetal death. Dilatation and curettage or suction evacuation if first trimester. Induction of labor or dilatation and evacuation (d&e) if second trimester. Unilateral stabbing pain and tenderness in the lower-abdominal quadrant. Scant, dark red, or brown vaginal spotting occurs 6 to 8 weeks after last normal. Delayed (1 to 2 weeks), lighter than usual, or irregular menses. menses; red vaginal bleeding if rupture has occurred. Referred shoulder pain due to blood in the peritoneal cavity irritating the diaphragm or phrenic nerve after tubal rupture. Report of faintness and dizziness related to amount of bleeding in abdominal cavity. Cullen"s sign: a blue discoloration similar to ecchymosis around the umbilicus.
