Inpatient Obstetric Nurse (NCC) Practice Exam

The classic sign of placenta previa is painless vaginal bleeding. This condition occurs when the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix, leading to bleeding as the pregnancy progresses and the cervix begins to change in preparation for delivery. The bleeding associated with placenta previa typically arises in the second or third trimester and is characterized by its lack of accompanying pain, which is a significant factor in distinguishing it from other causes of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, such as placental abruption, where painful bleeding is more common.

The absence of pain in the bleeding is crucial, as it helps health care professionals assess the situation accurately and implement the appropriate management strategies, which can vary significantly from those required for more urgent scenarios involving pain. In managing placenta previa, monitoring and possible delivery methods may be discussed based on the type and amount of bleeding, as well as fetal well-being.