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Which client should be further assessed for an ectopic pregnancy?

A 24-year-old with shoulder and lower abdominal quadrant pain.
A 33-year-old with intermittent lower abdominal cramping.
A 20-year-old with fever and right lower abdominal colic.
A 40-year-old with jaundice and right lower abdominal pain.

User J Atkin
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Final answer:

A 24-year-old with shoulder and lower abdominal quadrant pain should be further assessed for an ectopic pregnancy due to the presentation of symptoms consistent with bleeding from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, such as referred shoulder pain (Kehr's sign).

Step-by-step explanation:

The client who should be further assessed for an ectopic pregnancy is the 24-year-old with shoulder and lower abdominal quadrant pain. This type of pain, particularly if it is referred to the shoulder (Kehr's sign), can indicate bleeding due to a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is a condition where the embryo implants outside the uterine cavity, and as it grows, it can cause pain and potentially life-threatening bleeding.

It is important to differentiate other causes of abdominal pain. For instance, fever and abdominal colic could be related to appendicitis or an infection, and jaundice with right lower abdominal pain may suggest liver pathology rather than ectopic pregnancy. Therefore, thorough assessment and differential diagnosis are key in identifying the risk of ectopic pregnancy.

User Dmytro Yashkir
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