A probable ectopic pregnancy is identified by a multistage approach that includes clinical manifestations, history, and physical examination. The notion is backed by differential diagnoses, where the conventional triad of vaginal bleeding, discomfort, and amenorrhea cannot establish clinical identification sufficiency due to nonspecific symptoms. These are also the major symptoms of UTI, ovarian torsion, salpingitis, abortion, appendicitis, ovarian follicle rapture, cervical cancer, and pelvic inflammatory diseases (Jurkovic & Wilkinson, 2011). Despite the same clinical indications, ectopic pregnancy has a distinct mechanism in which a fertilized ovum implants and grows outside the uterine endometrial cavity. The first step of identifying the condition is the chief complaint, where the female patient within reproductive years highlights vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal discomfort.
The second step in the rationale is documenting the history, a stage that mainly entails understanding incidents of ectopic pregnancies and tubal sterilization operations. The clinician also establishes an association with risk factors such as the use of intrauterine devices, cases of genital infections, hypotension, and smoking. Elevated beta-hCG levels can be evaluated using a pregnancy test kit. The final diagnostic consideration is investigating stability against signs of shock. The assessment entails clinical manifestation as well as physical examination. Besides the three cardinal symptoms, ectopic pregnancy is associated with referred shoulder pain, an increased urge to urinate, dizziness, passage of tissue, and pain upon passing feces (Connolly & Britton, 2017). A physical exam also reveals breast tenderness, adnexal tenderness, abdominal tenderness, and pelvic tenderness. Patients also report peritoneal irritation. The positive findings should guide further decisions, including ultrasonography to confirm the diagnosis as well as surgical consultation to avert possible complications.
References
Connolly, A., & Britton, A. (Eds.). (2017). Women's Health in Primary Care. Cambridge University Press.
Jurkovic, D., & Wilkinson, H. (2011). Diagnosis and management of ectopic pregnancy. BMJ, 342(jun10 1), d3397-d3397.
