((If the EHS officer does not ask about pregnancy status or gestational age within the first 3 minutes, the partner volunteers: 'She's about 9 weeks pregnant โ could this be a miscarriage?'))
((If the officer does not enquire about shoulder tip pain during the secondary survey, the patient spontaneously reports mild left shoulder discomfort โ escalate concern for ectopic and prompt reassessment of BP and HR))
((If BP is not repeated within 5 minutes of initial reading, the patient reports feeling dizzy and lightheaded when shifting position โ BP drops to 90/58 and HR increases to 118, indicating haemodynamic deterioration))
((If the patient is not positioned appropriately โ i.e., left lateral tilt or supine with legs elevated โ facilitator notes that patient is sitting upright and reports worsening dizziness))
((If reassurance is not provided continuously, patient becomes increasingly distressed and begins hyperventilating โ RR increases to 24))
This patient is suffering from early pregnancy bleeding at approximately 9 weeks gestation, consistent with a threatened or inevitable miscarriage. Ectopic pregnancy must be considered and excluded โ although the absence of shoulder tip pain, peritoneal rigidity, and haemodynamic collapse makes ruptured ectopic less likely at this time, clinical deterioration must be monitored for closely.
- Ensure scene safety and don appropriate PPE including gloves
- Perform Primary Survey โ confirm patent airway, adequate breathing, assess circulation including pulse rate and quality
- Position patient appropriately โ supine with legs slightly elevated if haemodynamically compromised, or left lateral position; avoid aortocaval compression (left lateral tilt preferred in pregnancy)
- Provide continuous reassurance โ patient is distressed; maintain calm therapeutic communication throughout
- Perform Vital Sign Survey โ BP (bilateral if possible), HR, RR, SpO2, GCS, temperature
- Administer Oxygen only if SpO2 falls below 94% โ titrate via nasal cannula at 1โ4 L/min or simple face mask at 5โ8 L/min to target SpO2 94โ98%; do not administer if SpO2 is maintained on room air
- Conduct thorough history taking using IMISTAMBO framework โ specifically document: gestational age, duration and amount of bleeding (number of pads soaked), presence of clots or tissue passed, abdominal pain character and radiation (shoulder tip pain = red flag for ectopic)
- Perform Secondary Survey โ palpate abdomen for tenderness, rigidity, or guarding; specifically assess for shoulder tip pain (Kehr's sign) as indicator of intraperitoneal bleeding from ruptured ectopic
- Apply a clean pad and instruct patient to retain all used pads, swabs, and any passed tissue for clinical assessment
- Record duration, amount, colour, consistency, and pattern of blood loss in documentation
- Repeat vital signs every 10 minutes โ monitor closely for haemodynamic deterioration (rising HR, falling BP, worsening pallor, altered GCS) as signs of ruptured ectopic or significant haemorrhage
- Call for CSP support immediately if patient becomes haemodynamically unstable (systolic BP <90 mmHg, HR >120, deteriorating GCS) or if ruptured ectopic is suspected
- Scenario ends on arrival of ambulance and IMISTAMBO handover
- Attention to hand hygiene will be given throughout the scenario.
Clinical references: Early Pregnancy Bleeding ยท Primary Survey ยท Oxygen Delivery