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A soft, non-tender uterus is a classic clinical finding in placenta previa that indicates the absence of abruptio placentae. While it is a defining characteristic of the condition, it is a reassuring finding rather than a trigger for emergency intervention. It confirms that the bleeding is not caused by high-pressure intrauterine hematomas or myometrial rigidity. The nurse should continue to document this finding as part of the routine assessment of uterine tone.

Mild lower abdominal cramping is an expected finding during active labor and does not necessarily signify an immediate life-threatening complication in placenta previa. While contractions are dangerous because they cause cervical dilation, the presence of mild cramping is less urgent than active, profuse hemorrhage. The nurse must monitor the frequency and intensity of these cramps to prevent precipitous labor. However, in the hierarchy of clinical urgency, this finding is secondary to maternal blood loss.

A maternal blood pressure of 120/78 mmHg is within the normotensive range and indicates that the client is currently hemodynamically stable. Although pregnancy induces a higher blood volume that can mask early signs of shock, this specific reading does not indicate circulatory collapse. The nurse should continue to monitor for trends such as narrowing pulse pressure or orthostatic changes. Currently, this stable vital sign does not require the immediate emergency intervention associated with acute maternal-fetal jeopardy.

While hypoglycemia can occur in preterm infants due to low glycogen stores, it is not the most "likely" or specific complication tied to 34-week delivery in placenta previa cases unless there is concurrent maternal diabetes. Most 34-week infants can maintain glucose levels if early feeding is established. Hyperbilirubinemia affects a higher percentage of this specific gestational cohort compared to symptomatic hypoglycemia. Therefore, while relevant, it is not the primary expected hematologic/metabolic complication for a late-preterm neonate.

A congenital anomaly is not a direct result of placenta previa or preterm birth itself. Congenital malformations typically occur during the first trimester during organogenesis, whereas placenta previa is a complication of placental implantation and third-trimester growth. There is no evidence-based link suggesting that abnormal placental location increases the incidence of genetic or structural birth defects. The complications seen in these neonates are typically functional and related to prematurity rather than structural anomalies.

Polycythemia is an excess of red blood cells, which is more commonly seen in post-term infants or those with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) due to chronic hypoxia. In the context of placenta previa with maternal bleeding, the neonate is actually at a higher risk for anemia if fetal-maternal hemorrhage occurred during the placental separation. Preterm infants generally have lower hematocrit levels and are less likely to present with the hyperviscosity associated with polycythemia.

A urinary tract infection is a potential postpartum risk, especially if indwelling catheterization was required during a cesarean delivery. While significant, it is an infectious complication that typically manifests days after delivery with symptoms like dysuria or low-grade fever. It does not pose an immediate life threat to maternal stability in the same manner as an acute hemorrhagic event. The nurse manages this through sterile technique and early catheter removal rather than emergency resuscitation protocols.

Constipation is a common but minor postpartum issue resulting from progesterone-induced decreased gastrointestinal motility and the effects of opioid analgesics used during surgery. While uncomfortable and requiring management with stool softeners or increased fiber intake, it is a physiological nuisance rather than a concerning clinical emergency. It has no direct impact on hemodynamic stability or the surgical integrity of the uterine segment. Nursing care focuses on patient comfort and the resumption of normal bowel function over several days.

Mild edema of the lower extremities is a frequent finding in the early postpartum period due to the physiologic shift of extracellular fluid back into the intravascular space. While the nurse must monitor for signs of deep vein thrombosis, bilateral mild edema is generally a benign transition following the administration of intravenous fluids during delivery. It does not indicate the vascular crisis associated with the primary diagnosis of placenta previa. This finding is addressed through elevation and early ambulation rather than emergency medical intervention.