Unit VI Case Study Worksheet
Directions: Below is a case study presentation of a patient with a condition covered in this
chapter. Read the case study and answer the questions below. Some questions will ask for
information not included within this chapter. Use your textbook, a medical dictionary, and the
databases of the Waldorf Online Library to answer these questions. Be sure to use APA formatting
for all citations and references.

Patient is seen by obstetrician today for moderate vaginal bleeding without any cramping or pelvic pain.
Patient is 23 years old. She is currently estimated to be at 175 days of gestation. Amniocentesis at 20
weeks indicated male fetus with no evidence of genetic or developmental disorders. This patient is
multigravida but nullipara with three early spontaneous abortions without obvious causes. She was
diagnosed with cancer of the left ovary 4 years ago. It was treated with a left oophorectomy and
chemotherapy. She continues to undergo full-body CT scan every six months, and there has been no
evidence of cancer since that time. Pelvic ultrasound indicates placenta previa with placenta almost
completely overlying cervix. However, there is no evidence of abruptio placentae at this time. Fetal size
estimate is consistent with 25 weeks of gestation. Fetal monitoring revealed that the FHR is strong with a
rate of 130 beats/minute. The placenta appears to be well attached on ultrasound, but the bleeding is
cause for concern. With the extremely low position of the placenta, this patient is at very high risk for
developing abruptio placentae. She may require early delivery by cesarean section if bleeding increases.
She will definitely require C-section at onset of labor.

1. Describe in your own words the treatment this patient received for her ovarian cancer. What
procedure does she continue to have every six months?

2. This patient had an amniocentesis at 20 weeks of gestation. Describe this procedure and why it is
performed.

3. What occurred during this patient’s first three pregnancies? Describe what terminated the
pregnancies.

4. Describe what fetal monitoring is. What is FHR?