What is the most common serious complication encountered in a patient with an ectopic pregnancy?
Solution
Correct Answer: Option A
The most common serious complication encountered in a patient with an ectopic pregnancy is tubal rupture.
- An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterine cavity, most commonly in the fallopian tube.
- As the pregnancy grows, the limited space within the fallopian tube cannot accommodate the expanding gestational sac.
- This can lead to increased pressure on the tubal walls, ultimately resulting in rupture of the fallopian tube.
- Tubal rupture is a medical emergency because it can cause life-threatening internal bleeding.
- Symptoms often include sudden, severe abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, dizziness, or signs of shock.
- Prompt recognition and management are crucial to prevent morbidity and mortality.
Other options listed are less common or unrelated complications in the context of ectopic pregnancy:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (Option 2) is an infection of the upper genital tract, which may increase the risk for ectopic pregnancy but is not itself a direct complication.
- Ovarian torsion (Option 3) involves twisting of the ovary and is unrelated to ectopic pregnancy.
- Septic shock (Option 4) can occur in severe infections but is not the most common or direct complication of an ectopic pregnancy.
Therefore, the most serious and commonly encountered complication of ectopic pregnancy is tubal rupture.
Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 25th Edition, Chapter 37: Ectopic Pregnancy, Pages 814-828
- An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterine cavity, most commonly in the fallopian tube.
- As the pregnancy grows, the limited space within the fallopian tube cannot accommodate the expanding gestational sac.
- This can lead to increased pressure on the tubal walls, ultimately resulting in rupture of the fallopian tube.
- Tubal rupture is a medical emergency because it can cause life-threatening internal bleeding.
- Symptoms often include sudden, severe abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, dizziness, or signs of shock.
- Prompt recognition and management are crucial to prevent morbidity and mortality.
Other options listed are less common or unrelated complications in the context of ectopic pregnancy:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (Option 2) is an infection of the upper genital tract, which may increase the risk for ectopic pregnancy but is not itself a direct complication.
- Ovarian torsion (Option 3) involves twisting of the ovary and is unrelated to ectopic pregnancy.
- Septic shock (Option 4) can occur in severe infections but is not the most common or direct complication of an ectopic pregnancy.
Therefore, the most serious and commonly encountered complication of ectopic pregnancy is tubal rupture.
Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 25th Edition, Chapter 37: Ectopic Pregnancy, Pages 814-828
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