ECTOPIC PREGNANCY: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
UPDATE (GRADED A+)
25 year old female presents to the ED with "serious pain" in her lower right abdomen
accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Her vitals are: 98.4 F, 80 P, 20 RR, 126/68 BP,
pain 9/10. Her last menstrual cycle was "about one month ago". Her hCG level is 2550
and her urine pregnancy test is positive. Her UA is negative with normal specific gravity
and pH. Her CBC results are normal. the nurse asks when the last menstrual cycle was,
if she smokes, and if she has ever had an STI. Why does the nurse ask these
questions?
a. the HCP wants to rule out hyperemesis gravidarum
b. the HCP wants to rule out ectopic pregnancy
c. the HCP wants to rule out mutliple gestation because of high hCG
d. the HCP wants to rule out pregnancy because people with an STI cannot be pregnant
-
Answer b (LMP is used to estimate gestational age and compare with normal hCG
levels for the gestational age. A hx of smoking and STIs increases the risk of ectopic
pregnancy as well as other abnormalities.)
25 year old female presents to the ED. Her hCG level is 2550 and her urine pregnancy
test is positive. Her last menstrual cycle was 12/8. Using Nagele's rule, what is her
estimated due date?
a. 9/15
b. 10/14
c. 9/11
d. 10/20 -
Answer a (Nagele's rule: LMP - 3 months + 7 days = EDD)
How should the nurse explain ectopic pregnancy to a patient?
a. It is fertalization of the ovum in the vagina
b. it is cancerous and is a fertilized ovum in either fallopian tube
c. it is fertilized ovum outside of the uterus that cannot be transfered to the uterus
d. you do not need major treatment and can be delivered vaginally -
Answer c
, A 25 year old patient is diagnosed with low-risk ectopic pregnancy with no cardiac
activity. The father is eager to be a parent and asks if this ruins their chances of getting
pregnant again. Which is the best response?
a. Ectopic pregnancies occur in 12-50% of all pregnancies. You will have no problem
getting pregnant again very soon
b. I am sorry, but you should probably explore adoption
c. Scar tissue caused by her chlamydia infection will prevent any type of pregnancy
from occurring
d. You will be screened for the possible administration of folic acid antagonist called
methotrexate. This is a non-surgical approach to treat the ectopic pregnancy that may
help maintain the possibility of future pregnancy -
Answer d (spontaneous abortion occurs in 12-50% of all pregnancy, not ectopic. Risk
for SAB increases with age. Ectopic pregnancy only take up 1% of pregnancies.
scarring from infections may occur and can cause complications, but it doesn't rule out
pregnancy possibilities.)
A 25 year old patient is diagnosed with low-risk ectopic pregnancy with no cardiac
activity. The mother asks, "My sister just has a miscarriage. Does that mean she had
chlamydia or any other STI?" How should the nurse respond?
a. Yes, she most certainly did. Perhaps she got it the same way you did. You should
watch your husband more closely.
b. No, miscarriages only happen if you drink too much during the first few weeks of
pregnancy
c. No, a miscarriage, or spontaneous abortion, can happen for many reasons
d. How old is your sister? Perhaps her maternal age caused her to misscarry -
Answer c
What is the correct terminology for a situation in which the non-viable pregnancy is not
expelled?
a. elective abortion
b. spontaneous abortion
c. missed abortion
d. threatened abortion -
Answer c
Which term is used to describe the condition when a pregnant woman experiences
increased vaginal bleeding and cramping, her internal cervical os dilates, and the
membranes may rupture?
a. spontaneous abortion
UPDATE (GRADED A+)
25 year old female presents to the ED with "serious pain" in her lower right abdomen
accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Her vitals are: 98.4 F, 80 P, 20 RR, 126/68 BP,
pain 9/10. Her last menstrual cycle was "about one month ago". Her hCG level is 2550
and her urine pregnancy test is positive. Her UA is negative with normal specific gravity
and pH. Her CBC results are normal. the nurse asks when the last menstrual cycle was,
if she smokes, and if she has ever had an STI. Why does the nurse ask these
questions?
a. the HCP wants to rule out hyperemesis gravidarum
b. the HCP wants to rule out ectopic pregnancy
c. the HCP wants to rule out mutliple gestation because of high hCG
d. the HCP wants to rule out pregnancy because people with an STI cannot be pregnant
-
Answer b (LMP is used to estimate gestational age and compare with normal hCG
levels for the gestational age. A hx of smoking and STIs increases the risk of ectopic
pregnancy as well as other abnormalities.)
25 year old female presents to the ED. Her hCG level is 2550 and her urine pregnancy
test is positive. Her last menstrual cycle was 12/8. Using Nagele's rule, what is her
estimated due date?
a. 9/15
b. 10/14
c. 9/11
d. 10/20 -
Answer a (Nagele's rule: LMP - 3 months + 7 days = EDD)
How should the nurse explain ectopic pregnancy to a patient?
a. It is fertalization of the ovum in the vagina
b. it is cancerous and is a fertilized ovum in either fallopian tube
c. it is fertilized ovum outside of the uterus that cannot be transfered to the uterus
d. you do not need major treatment and can be delivered vaginally -
Answer c
, A 25 year old patient is diagnosed with low-risk ectopic pregnancy with no cardiac
activity. The father is eager to be a parent and asks if this ruins their chances of getting
pregnant again. Which is the best response?
a. Ectopic pregnancies occur in 12-50% of all pregnancies. You will have no problem
getting pregnant again very soon
b. I am sorry, but you should probably explore adoption
c. Scar tissue caused by her chlamydia infection will prevent any type of pregnancy
from occurring
d. You will be screened for the possible administration of folic acid antagonist called
methotrexate. This is a non-surgical approach to treat the ectopic pregnancy that may
help maintain the possibility of future pregnancy -
Answer d (spontaneous abortion occurs in 12-50% of all pregnancy, not ectopic. Risk
for SAB increases with age. Ectopic pregnancy only take up 1% of pregnancies.
scarring from infections may occur and can cause complications, but it doesn't rule out
pregnancy possibilities.)
A 25 year old patient is diagnosed with low-risk ectopic pregnancy with no cardiac
activity. The mother asks, "My sister just has a miscarriage. Does that mean she had
chlamydia or any other STI?" How should the nurse respond?
a. Yes, she most certainly did. Perhaps she got it the same way you did. You should
watch your husband more closely.
b. No, miscarriages only happen if you drink too much during the first few weeks of
pregnancy
c. No, a miscarriage, or spontaneous abortion, can happen for many reasons
d. How old is your sister? Perhaps her maternal age caused her to misscarry -
Answer c
What is the correct terminology for a situation in which the non-viable pregnancy is not
expelled?
a. elective abortion
b. spontaneous abortion
c. missed abortion
d. threatened abortion -
Answer c
Which term is used to describe the condition when a pregnant woman experiences
increased vaginal bleeding and cramping, her internal cervical os dilates, and the
membranes may rupture?
a. spontaneous abortion
