North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

What is an important risk factor for ectopic pregnancy?

1. History of preeclampsia

2. History of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

3. Having a cesarean delivery previously

4. Multiple pregnancies

The correct answer is: History of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

A significant risk factor for ectopic pregnancy is a history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can cause scarring and damage to the fallopian tubes, which are the pathways through which an egg travels from the ovaries to the uterus. When these tubes are compromised—due to inflammation, infection, or scarring—there is an increased likelihood that a fertilized egg may implant in the tube itself, resulting in an ectopic pregnancy. In contrast, conditions like preeclampsia, previous cesarean sections, or multiple pregnancies do not have a direct and established link to the incidence of ectopic pregnancies. While these may involve other obstetric considerations, they do not typically predispose an individual to the development of an ectopic pregnancy in the same way that a history of PID does.