Giving an early pregnancy scan result after bleeding
PLAB 2 practice station

The task

You are a doctor in an early pregnancy unit. Miss Katie Lindqvist, aged 31, is 9 weeks pregnant by her dates and attended for a scan because of light bleeding. The sonographer has told you that the transvaginal scan shows a baby with no heartbeat. A second trained colleague has checked and confirmed this, so no repeat scan is needed. She is alone because her partner could not leave work. Tell her the result and discuss what happens next. The examiner will not take part in the conversation.

What this station tests

• Say the words miscarriage and no heartbeat; euphemisms confuse and hurt.
• Answer the question 'did I cause it?' directly and kindly.
• Explain all management options and let her take her time.
• Give clear safety-netting for bleeding, pain and fever.

Sources for the clinical content

• NICE NG126: Ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage: diagnosis and initial management
• GMC: Good medical practice
• NHS: What happens if you have a miscarriage

An original practice scenario with invented patients. Not an exam question.

Practise next

• Giving a scan result to a man with a persistent cough
• Speaking to a wife after her husband's collapse
• Daughter asks you to hide a diagnosis