A 34-year-old G3P2 woman at 36 weeks gestation presents to the emergency department with sudden onset, severe abdominal pain and heavy vaginal bleeding. She denies trauma. On examination, her uterus is tender, rigid, and hypertonic. Fetal heart tones show repetitive late decelerations. What is the most likely diagnosis?

The correct answer to the question "A 34-year-old G3P2 woman at 36 weeks gestation presents to the emergency department with sudden onset, severe abdominal pain and heavy vaginal bleeding. She denies trauma. On examination, her uterus is tender, rigid, and hypertonic. Fetal heart tones show repetitive late decelerations. What is the most likely diagnosis?" is Option D: Abruptio placentae.

The other options — A) Placenta previa, B) Uterine rupture, C) Vasa previa — are incorrect for this USMLE Exam Prep question. As explained above: The classic presentation of abruptio placentae includes sudden onset painful vaginal bleeding, a rigid and tender uterus, and fetal distress (late decelerations) in the third trimester. This distingu…