You arrive at the scene of a motor vehicle accident. Your patient, who is obviously late in her pregnancy, is still in the driver's seat. She states that she was wearing her seat belt although it is not currently in place. As you expose your patient, you find she has abrasions from the seat belt in the area of her shoulder and across her abdomen approximately 1 inch below her umbilicus. What can you infer from these markings?
A) A. The lap belt portion of the seat belt was placed too high. This potential trauma places your patient at a high risk for preterm labor and delivery.
B) B. The lap belt portion of the seat belt was placed too high. This potential trauma places your patient at risk of abruptio placenta and uterine rupture.
C) C. Your patient was indeed wearing her seat belt and was appropriately secured.
D) D. Your patient was wearing her seat belt, and although the placement was not appropriate, the large amount of abdominal fat protected her and her fetus from damage.
Answer: B