Bleeding in Early Pregnancy: An Overview
Bleeding in Early Pregnancy: An Overview is organized by Nurse.com - OnCourse Learning Corporation.
Course Originally Released on: 12/08/2022
Date of Most Recent Review: 12/8/2022
Course Termination/ Update Date: 12/31/2025
Description:
In the first trimester, vaginal bleeding affects about a quarter of women who are pregnant (Hendriks et al., 2019). Within the first 2 weeks of pregnancy, it is common for some women to experience light vaginal bleeding or spotting from the cervix (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [ACOG], 2022). This is usually due to the development of increased blood vessels and may occur after sexual intercourse or a pelvic exam. However, more serious complications of vaginal bleeding can occur during the first trimester.
Nurses who work in the emergency department may encounter this situation frequently. They should have a sound working knowledge of the incidence, etiology, risk factors, and potential life-threatening symptoms associated with vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. Prompt recognition of significant clinical signs may save precious time in an emergency.
Goal and Learning Outcomes:
The goal of the course is to inform nursing professionals in acute care about the causes, evaluation, and patient care of vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy.
This course contains graphic images.
After taking this course, you should be able to:
• Identify the three common causes of bleeding in early pregnancy.
• Prioritize assessment and care for patients with bleeding in early pregnancy.