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Multiple Choice

In suspected ruptured ectopic pregnancy, which sign is commonly associated with shock?

In a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, significant internal bleeding leads to hypovolemic shock. The body trying to maintain perfusion pumps up the heart rate, but as blood volume drops, the blood pressure falls. So the sign most consistent with shock in this setting is low blood pressure accompanied by a rapid pulse. Hypertension wouldn’t fit the shock picture from bleeding, bradypnea isn’t typical (shock usually brings faster breathing as a compensatory mechanism), and hyperglycemia isn’t a defining sign of shock in this scenario.

In a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, significant internal bleeding leads to hypovolemic shock. The body trying to maintain perfusion pumps up the heart rate, but as blood volume drops, the blood pressure falls. So the sign most consistent with shock in this setting is low blood pressure accompanied by a rapid pulse. Hypertension wouldn’t fit the shock picture from bleeding, bradypnea isn’t typical (shock usually brings faster breathing as a compensatory mechanism), and hyperglycemia isn’t a defining sign of shock in this scenario.