A 26-year old having her first baby is 28 weeks pregnant. She experiences bright red, painless vaginal bleeding, soaking one pad. Upon her arrival at the hospital, after placing her on the FHR Monitor, what would be an expected diagnostic procedure?

A. Pitocin. Pitocin (oxytocin) is the primary medication used for labor induction. It stimulates uterine contractions to initiate or augment labor. It is given intravenously (IV) and carefully titrated to avoid complications like uterine tachysystole and fetal distress.

B. Methergine. Methergine (methylergonovine) is not used for labor induction. It is a uterotonic medication used postpartum to prevent or treat postpartum hemorrhage by causing sustained uterine contractions. It is contraindicated in pregnancy due to the risk of excessive uterine contractions and hypertension.

C. Misoprostol. Misoprostol (Cytotec) is a prostaglandin used for cervical ripening and labor induction. It is administered vaginally or orally to soften the cervix and stimulate contractions before starting Pitocin. It is commonly used in women with an unfavorable cervix.

D. Magnesium Sulfate. Magnesium sulfate is not used for labor induction. It is primarily used for seizure prevention in preeclampsia/eclampsia and to stop preterm labor (tocolysis). It actually relaxes the uterus, which is the opposite of what is needed for induction.

E. Betamethasone. Betamethasone is a corticosteroid used to accelerate fetal lung maturity in preterm labor (before 34 weeks). It has no role in labor induction.

A. "An ectopic pregnancy does not need major treatment and can be delivered vaginally." This statement is incorrect. An ectopic pregnancy involves the fertilized ovum implanting outside the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube, which poses serious risks to the mother. The pregnancy cannot be carried to term, and it requires prompt medical intervention, such as medication or surgery, to prevent life-threatening complications.
B. "An ectopic pregnancy involves a fertilized ovum outside the uterus that cannot be transferred to the uterus." This is an accurate explanation of an ectopic pregnancy. The fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tubes, and cannot develop into a viable pregnancy. The condition requires immediate treatment to prevent tube rupture and internal bleeding.
C. "An ectopic pregnancy involves a cancerous fertilized ovum in either fallopian tube." This is incorrect. An ectopic pregnancy is not cancerous. It refers to a pregnancy where the fertilized ovum implants in an abnormal location outside the uterus, most commonly the fallopian tubes, not involving cancerous growth.
D. "An ectopic pregnancy involves a fertilized ovum in the vagina." This statement is incorrect. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized ovum implants outside the uterus, but it does not implant in the vagina. The condition most commonly involves the fallopian tubes but can also occur in other locations such as the cervix, ovary, or abdominal cavity.