Abruptio Placentae and Placenta Previa Questions
And Answers NCLEX Exam 2022
1. A woman, who is 22 weeks pregnant, has a routine ultrasound performed. The
ultrasound shows that the placenta is located at the edge of the cervical opening. As the
nurse you know that which statement is FALSE about this finding:
A. This is known as marginal placenta previa.
B. The placenta may move upward as the pregnancy progresses and needs to be re-
evaluated with another ultrasound at about 32 weeks gestation.
C. The patient will need to have a c-section and cannot deliver vaginally.
D. The woman should report any bleeding immediately to the doctor.
The answer is C. All the other options are CORRECT. Option C is FALSE. This is a type of
placenta previa called marginal (or low-lying). There is a chance the woman can delivery
vaginally, but if the placenta was completely over the cervix or partially covering it a c-
section would be required. At the 20 week ultrasound the location of the placenta is
detected. The location will be re-evaluated at about 32 weeks. If a placenta is found to
be low lying there is a chance the placenta will move upward (away from the cervix) as
the uterus grows to accommodate the baby.
2. Your patient who is 34 weeks pregnant is diagnosed with total placenta previa. The
patient is A positive. What nursing interventions below will you include in the patient’s
care? Select all that apply:
A. Routine vaginal examinations
B. Monitoring vital signs
C. Administer RhoGAM per MD order
, D. Assess internal fetal monitoring
E. Placing patient on side-lying position
F. Monitoring pad count
G. Monitoring CBC and clotting levels
The answers are: B, E, F, and G. Option A is WRONG because vaginal exams are avoided
to prevent causing damage to the placenta presenting at the cervical opening. Option C
is WRONG because the patient is A positive and does NOT need RhoGAM, which is for
patients who are RH negative. Option D is WRONG because external monitoring should
be used NOT internal, which can damage the placenta at the cervical opening.
3. A 28 year old female, who is 33 weeks pregnant with her second child, has
uncontrolled hypertension. What risk factor below found in the patient’s health history
places her at risk for abruptio placentae?
A. childhood polio
B. preeclampisa
C. c-section
D. her age
The answer is B. Preeclampisa is a risk factor for experiencing abruptio placentae. The
patient is at risk for developing this condition again since she is currently experiencing
uncontrolled hypertension with this pregnancy.
4. A 36 year old woman, who is 38 weeks pregnant, reports having dark red bleeding.
The patient experienced abruptio placentae with her last pregnancy at 29 weeks. What
other signs and symptoms can present with abruptio placentae? Select all that apply:
And Answers NCLEX Exam 2022
1. A woman, who is 22 weeks pregnant, has a routine ultrasound performed. The
ultrasound shows that the placenta is located at the edge of the cervical opening. As the
nurse you know that which statement is FALSE about this finding:
A. This is known as marginal placenta previa.
B. The placenta may move upward as the pregnancy progresses and needs to be re-
evaluated with another ultrasound at about 32 weeks gestation.
C. The patient will need to have a c-section and cannot deliver vaginally.
D. The woman should report any bleeding immediately to the doctor.
The answer is C. All the other options are CORRECT. Option C is FALSE. This is a type of
placenta previa called marginal (or low-lying). There is a chance the woman can delivery
vaginally, but if the placenta was completely over the cervix or partially covering it a c-
section would be required. At the 20 week ultrasound the location of the placenta is
detected. The location will be re-evaluated at about 32 weeks. If a placenta is found to
be low lying there is a chance the placenta will move upward (away from the cervix) as
the uterus grows to accommodate the baby.
2. Your patient who is 34 weeks pregnant is diagnosed with total placenta previa. The
patient is A positive. What nursing interventions below will you include in the patient’s
care? Select all that apply:
A. Routine vaginal examinations
B. Monitoring vital signs
C. Administer RhoGAM per MD order
, D. Assess internal fetal monitoring
E. Placing patient on side-lying position
F. Monitoring pad count
G. Monitoring CBC and clotting levels
The answers are: B, E, F, and G. Option A is WRONG because vaginal exams are avoided
to prevent causing damage to the placenta presenting at the cervical opening. Option C
is WRONG because the patient is A positive and does NOT need RhoGAM, which is for
patients who are RH negative. Option D is WRONG because external monitoring should
be used NOT internal, which can damage the placenta at the cervical opening.
3. A 28 year old female, who is 33 weeks pregnant with her second child, has
uncontrolled hypertension. What risk factor below found in the patient’s health history
places her at risk for abruptio placentae?
A. childhood polio
B. preeclampisa
C. c-section
D. her age
The answer is B. Preeclampisa is a risk factor for experiencing abruptio placentae. The
patient is at risk for developing this condition again since she is currently experiencing
uncontrolled hypertension with this pregnancy.
4. A 36 year old woman, who is 38 weeks pregnant, reports having dark red bleeding.
The patient experienced abruptio placentae with her last pregnancy at 29 weeks. What
other signs and symptoms can present with abruptio placentae? Select all that apply:
