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Persistent positive pregnancy test after abortion — DRCOG MCQ

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HardEarly PregnancyPersistent positive pregnancy test after abortionDRCOG

Four weeks after an early medical abortion, a woman’s supplied low-sensitivity pregnancy test is positive. She has ongoing nausea and mild pelvic pain but is haemodynamically stable. What should she do?

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

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Correct answer: D — Contact the abortion service for further clinical assessment

The best answer is “Contact the abortion service for further clinical assessment”. A positive supplied follow-up test or continuing pregnancy symptoms requires prompt assessment for ongoing pregnancy, retained pregnancy tissue or ectopic pregnancy. The service can select ultrasound and/or hCG testing according to the history; a positive result should not be dismissed as residual hormone.

Reference: NICE NG140: Abortion care: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng140/chapter/recommendations