Question

A nurse is caring for a client who is reporting lower abdominal pain. The client has a positive pregnancy test and is estimated to be 10 weeks pregnant. Which of the following best supports a possible ectopic pregnancy?

1) Edematous face, hands, and ankles
2) Absence of fetal heart tones and fetal movement
3) Unilateral stabbing lower abdominal pain
4) Steady bleeding with lower abdominal pain

Answer 1

Unilateral stabbing lower abdominal pain best supports a possible ectopic pregnancy in a client with a positive pregnancy test.

Step-by-step explanation:

Lower abdominal pain in a client with a positive pregnancy test can be indicative of an ectopic pregnancy. The best supporting symptom for a possible ectopic pregnancy in this scenario would be unilateral stabbing lower abdominal pain. While other options like edematous face, hands, and ankles or steady bleeding with lower abdominal pain may be seen in certain pregnancy complications, the presence of unilateral stabbing pain is more specific to ectopic pregnancy.