Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Enhance your chances of passing the PLAB Exam. Study with our practice quizzes that feature multiple choice questions, comprehensive hints, and explanations. Prepare with confidence!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Which substance use is associated with an increased risk for abruptio placenta?

Alcohol
Tobacco
Cocaine
Marijuana

The correct answer is: Cocaine

Cocaine use during pregnancy is significantly associated with an increased risk of abruptio placenta, which is the premature separation of the placenta from the uterus. This condition can lead to serious complications for both the mother and the fetus, such as heavy bleeding and preterm birth. Cocaine has vasoactive properties that can lead to intense vasoconstriction in the uterine and placental arteries. This contraction of blood vessels can compromise blood flow to the placenta, increasing the likelihood of placental abruption. Additionally, cocaine's effects on blood pressure and its potential to induce uterine contractions further contribute to this risk. While alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use can have various adverse effects on pregnancy, their associations with abruptio placenta are not as strongly established as that of cocaine. Thus, the heightened risk linked with cocaine underlines the critical need for pregnant individuals to avoid its use to enhance maternal and fetal health outcomes.