Final answer:
Immediate medical attention is critical when a woman at 38 weeks of pregnancy presents with dark red vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain, as these may indicate placental abruption, which necessitates quick evaluation and potentially urgent medical intervention.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a woman comes into the clinic at 38 weeks pregnant with dark red vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain, immediate medical attention and evaluation are necessary because these may be signs of a serious condition such as placental abruption.
Placental abruption is an emergency where the placenta detaches from the uterus before the baby is born, which can be life-threatening for both mother and child.
The health care provider must assess the woman's vital signs, the baby's heart rate, and possibly conduct an ultrasound to evaluate the situation. Further medical management may include hospitalization, fetal monitoring, and expediting delivery if the mother and baby are in distress.
Contractions, bleeding, and the dilation of the cervix are all evaluated to determine the state of labor and the well-being of the fetus. In the provided context of 38 weeks of pregnancy, medical intervention is likely required to ensure the safety and health of both mother and child.