When a 35-week-gestation pregnant woman presents after a motor vehicle crash, what is the priority assessment for the maternity nurse?

In the context of a 35-week-gestation pregnant woman who has been involved in a motor vehicle crash, the priority assessment should focus on signs of placental abruption. This is crucial because the trauma from the crash can lead to a premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall, which can pose significant risks to both the mother and the fetus.

Placental abruption may occur suddenly, and its symptoms can include abdominal pain, uterine tenderness, and vaginal bleeding. Identifying this condition early allows for immediate medical interventions which are essential for the safety of both the mother and the baby.

While monitoring maternal vital signs and fetal heart tones are also important, they do not address the immediate and potentially life-threatening complications that can arise from placental abruption. Assessing urinary output, although relevant in a broader obstetric care context, is less critical in this acute situation compared to the risk of placental separation. Hence, recognizing and assessing for signs of placental abruption takes precedence.