Preterm labor
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High Yield Notes
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Flashcards
Preterm labor
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Questions
USMLE® Step 1 style questions USMLE
of complete
A 37-year-old woman, gravida 1 para 0, comes to the office for a routine prenatal appointment at 28 weeks of gestation. The pregnancy has been uneventful, and she has been compliant with prenatal care. During the past week, she has been feeling a severe throbbing headache, with minimal response to acetaminophen. Medical history is unremarkable, and she has no history of migraines. Temperature is 37.0°C (98.6°F), pulse is 95/min, and blood pressure is 150/95 mmHg. Review of medical records at 24 weeks of gestation shows blood pressure of 135/80. Which of the following would prompt further evaluation in this patient?
External References
First Aid
2024
2023
2022
2021
Premature labor and delivery
cryptorchidism and p. 669
low birth weight with p. 652
murmur in prematurity p. 296
neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and p. 679
Preterm birth
common cause of death p. 276
Summary
Preterm birth is defined as the birth of a baby at less than 37 weeks of gestational age. The earlier a baby is born, the greater the risk, variety, and severity of complications to the infant's health, particularly to the respiratory system. The earliest gestational age at which a baby has at least a 50% chance of survival is approximately 24 weeks. Signs of preterm labor include frequent and painful uterine contractions, vaginal bleeding, cramping, and lower back pain.