Placental abruption

Etiology / Pathophysiology

• Placenta separates from uterine wall before birth; risks include hypertension, trauma, cocaine, prior abruption.
• Separation causes bleeding and reduced fetal oxygen exchange.

Medications

No specific medication class was seeded for this card.

Nursing actions

• Assess painful bleeding, rigid/tender uterus, contractions, and fetal distress.
• Monitor for shock and DIC; bleeding can be concealed.
• Prepare emergency delivery pathway if severe.

Complications

• Hemorrhage
• DIC
• Fetal hypoxia/death
• Maternal shock

NCLEX cues

• Painful bleeding with board-like uterus.
• Concealed bleeding can hide volume loss.

Memory hooks

• Abruption is abrupt painful separation.

Labs / Diagnostics

• Trend assessment findings and ordered diagnostics; verify exact values with school source material.

Review notes

• Session-derived study seed. Verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy before relying on details.