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Placenta previa — ABEM Board MCQ

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ModerateOB/GYN emergenciesPlacenta previaABEM Board

A 31-year-old woman at 29 weeks gestation arrives with painless bright red vaginal bleeding. Triage acuity is ESI 2; BP 118/72 mm Hg, HR 96/min. Abdomen is soft and nontender, fetal heart rate is 145/min. She has not had prenatal ultrasound records available. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: A — Avoid digital cervical examination and obtain transabdominal ultrasound

Painless third-trimester bleeding suggests placenta previa; digital cervical examination is avoided until previa is excluded by ultrasound.

Reference: ACOG antepartum bleeding guidance