How to read a pregnancy test
Other platforms explain it with text and video. In VMS you practice it on the patient.
Knowing if a patient is pregnant changes which drugs, X-rays and procedures are safe. A positive test with pain or bleeding can be an emergency.
Step by step
Test when it matters
Test patients who could be pregnant before imaging with radiation, procedures or drugs that can harm a fetus. Ask in private. [1]
Read a urine test correctly
Wait the time on the package. A control line must appear; any test line, even faint, is positive. [2]
Know the false negatives
Testing too early or with dilute urine can miss a pregnancy. Repeat in a few days or use a serum test. [2]
Know the false positives
A recent pregnancy loss, hCG injections and rare tumors can give a positive test without a current pregnancy. [2]
Use serum hCG for trends
In early pregnancy hCG usually rises substantially every 48 hours. A slow rise or fall suggests ectopic pregnancy or pregnancy loss. [2]
Act on pain or bleeding
A positive test with belly pain, bleeding, dizziness or low blood pressure needs urgent ultrasound to look for ectopic pregnancy. [1]
Share the result with care
Tell the patient privately, in clear words, and respect confidentiality rules for minors in your state. [1]
Common errors
- Reading a faint line as negative.
- Skipping the test before an X-ray or a risky drug.
- Missing an ectopic pregnancy in a patient with pain and a positive test.
Practice it in VMS
In VMS you do this on the patient, not on paper: every step goes on the checklist with a score, and in Teach mode Blocky tells you what comes next.
VMS cases that train this skill
Sources
Facts and steps follow AAMC Core Entrustable Professional Activities (Core EPAs); NCCPA PANCE Content Blueprint. VMS is not affiliated with these organizations. Updated: 2026-10-11.