Which protocol would be used for a pregnant patient with illness as the primary complaint?

• A. Protocol 32
• B. Protocol 21
• C. Protocol 26
• D. Protocol 30

Answer: (C)

When a patient is pregnant and the chief complaint is illness, you use the protocol that specifically covers illness in pregnancy. This protocol is designed to account for the physiological changes of pregnancy and the range of medical illnesses that can affect both mother and fetus. It guides you to gather pregnancy-specific information (gestational age, prenatal care, potential obstetric symptoms) and to look for red flags that could indicate obstetric or fetal compromise.

Why this protocol fits best: it directs you to assess and manage with pregnancy in mind, not just as a generic medical illness. You’ll prioritize maternal and fetal well-being, check for conditions that can be particularly dangerous in pregnancy (like dehydration, infection, or signs suggesting preeclampsia), and decide on the most appropriate transport to a facility equipped to care for obstetric patients. It also informs practical steps such as the patient’s position to optimize circulation (often left lateral tilt in later pregnancy), the use of oxygen if needed, and rapid transport.

Other protocols focused on trauma or purely non-pregnancy illnesses wouldn’t prompt those pregnancy-specific considerations and could miss issues unique to pregnancy, or miss the need for obstetric-capable care.