ECTOPIC PREGNANCY: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE (GRADED A+)
Chloe presents to the ED at 0615. She reports that she was awakened in the middle of the night with
serious pain in her right abdomen accompanied by nausea and an episode of vomiting. Admission
assessment by the RN reveals the following:
T 98.4F, P 80, RR 20, BP 126/68, and pain 9/10 on the pain scale, and her LMP was "about a month
ago." Her heart rate is regular, and her lungs are clear to auscultation bilaterally. Palpation of the
abdomen elicits complaints of pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. Chloe's husband
David is at her bedside. He suspects that his wife is having an appendicitis attack and is concerned that
no ultrasound or blood tests have been done.
Which tests does the nurse anticipate that the HCP will order after considering Chloe's hx and sx?
A. Urinalysis
B. Pregnancy Test
C. CBC
D. McBurney's Point
E. Abd x-ray
F. hCG
A,B,C,D,F
Urinalysis--possible UTI, kidney infection or dehydration
Urine Pregnancy--abd pain common in early pregnancy
CBC--can indicate infection
McBurney's point--midway between anterior illiac crest and the umbilicus in the RLQ * appendicitis
Abd xray not used for inflamed appendix and uterus not often seen on abd x-ray
hCG pregnancy +
McBurney's point
Pain in RLQ with appendicitis
hCG levels
<5 mlU/ml negative for pregnancy
anything > 25 mlu/ml = pregnancy
LATEST UPDATE (GRADED A+)
Chloe presents to the ED at 0615. She reports that she was awakened in the middle of the night with
serious pain in her right abdomen accompanied by nausea and an episode of vomiting. Admission
assessment by the RN reveals the following:
T 98.4F, P 80, RR 20, BP 126/68, and pain 9/10 on the pain scale, and her LMP was "about a month
ago." Her heart rate is regular, and her lungs are clear to auscultation bilaterally. Palpation of the
abdomen elicits complaints of pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. Chloe's husband
David is at her bedside. He suspects that his wife is having an appendicitis attack and is concerned that
no ultrasound or blood tests have been done.
Which tests does the nurse anticipate that the HCP will order after considering Chloe's hx and sx?
A. Urinalysis
B. Pregnancy Test
C. CBC
D. McBurney's Point
E. Abd x-ray
F. hCG
A,B,C,D,F
Urinalysis--possible UTI, kidney infection or dehydration
Urine Pregnancy--abd pain common in early pregnancy
CBC--can indicate infection
McBurney's point--midway between anterior illiac crest and the umbilicus in the RLQ * appendicitis
Abd xray not used for inflamed appendix and uterus not often seen on abd x-ray
hCG pregnancy +
McBurney's point
Pain in RLQ with appendicitis
hCG levels
<5 mlU/ml negative for pregnancy
anything > 25 mlu/ml = pregnancy
