Which findings would a nurse expect to note in a client diagnosed with placenta previa?

In cases of placenta previa, bright red vaginal bleeding is a hallmark symptom due to the abnormal position of the placenta, which can cover part or all of the cervix. This bleeding often occurs in the second or third trimester and can be intermittent or continuous. It generally presents without pain, distinguishing it from some other causes of bleeding during pregnancy. The presence of bright red blood indicates that the placenta is undergoing stress or separation, which can pose risks to both the mother and fetus.

While certain other findings might be observed in different pregnancy-related complications, they are less characteristic of placenta previa. For instance, a soft, relaxed, nontender uterus is typical in many pregnancies but does not specifically indicate placenta previa. Lower abdominal cramping can suggest various issues within the pregnancy but is not a defining characteristic of this condition. Severe back pain, while it may occur in many pregnancies or labor, does not specifically indicate placenta previa either. Hence, the presence of bright red vaginal bleeding is a distinctly significant finding that points toward this diagnosis.