Preterm labor
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Preterm labor
USMLE® Step 1 style questions USMLE
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?
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.