Maternity Nursing Vocabulary

Front 1

Ballottement

Back 1

Rebounding of the fetus against the examiners hand during palpation. When the examiner taps the cervix, the fetus floats upward in the amniotic fluid. The examiner feels arebound when the fetus falls back.

Front 2

Chadwicks sign

Back 2

violet discoloration of the mucous membranes of the cervix, vagina, and vulva that occurs at 4 WEEKS due to increased vascularity.

Probable sign of pregnancy.

Front 3

Goodell's Sign

Back 3

Softening of the cervix that iccurs at the beginning of the second month of gestation.

Probable sign of pregnancy.

Front 4

Gravida

Back 4

How many pregnancies the woman has had.

Example Primigravida: first pregnancy (Gravida I)

Front 5

Hegar's Sign.

Back 5

Compressibility and softening of the lower uterine segment that occurs at 6 WEEKS gestation.

Probable sign of pregnancy.

Front 6

Lecithin to Sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio

Back 6

Ratio of two compounds of amniotic fluid.

Used for predicting fetal lung maturity.

Normal Value is 2:1, or greater if lungs are matured.

Front 7

Lochia

Back 7

discharge from the uterus that consists of blood fro mthe placental site and debris from the decidua.

Lasts 2-6 weeks after delivery.

Front 8

Nageles Rule

Back 8

Determines the estimated DOB based on a 28 day cycle. Add 7 days to the first day of the LMP, subtract three months and add 1 year.

Or, add 7 days to LMP and count 9 months.

Front 9

Parity (Para)

Back 9

Number of pregnancies that have reached viability regardless of whether the fetus was alive or stillborn.

Front 10

Quickening

Back 10

Maternal perception of fetal movement for the first time.

Usually occurs during the 16-20th week of preg.

Front 11

Embryo

Back 11

Day 15 until approx 8 weeks after conception.

Should measure 3 cm from crown to rump.

Front 12

Viability

Back 12

capability of the fetus to survive outside the uterus.

22-24 weeks gestation or fetal weight > 500g.

Front 13

Ovarian Hormones

Back 13

Released by anterior pituitary, release changes endometrium.

Follicule Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Lutenizing Hormone (LH)

Front 14

Gynecoid Pelvis

Back 14

normal female pelvis, transversely rounded or blunt

most successful in labor and birth.

Front 15

Anthropoid Pelvis

Back 15

oval shape, adequate outlet, with narrow pubic arch

Front 16

Android Pelvis

Back 16

heart-shaped or angulated. resembles a male pelvis

Not favorable for labor and birth

Narrow pelvic planes can cause slow descent and midpelvic arrest.

Front 17

Platypelloid Pelvis

Back 17

flat with an oval inlet

wide transverse diameter, but short anteroposterior diameter, making labor and birth difficult

Front 18

Braxton Hicks Contractions

Back 18

irregular painless contractions that may occur intermittently throughout pregnancy

Probable sign of pregnancy.

Front 19

Fundal Height

Back 19

During the 2nd and 3rd trimesteres, fundal height = fetal age in weeks +/ 2cm.

16 weeks= 1/2way between symphysis pubis and the umbilicus

20-22 weeks= at umbilicius

36= xiphoid process

Look out for supine hypotension

Front 20

Rubella

Back 20

If infected during the first 8 weeks of gestation, carries a high risk for fetal demise.

Front 21

Syphilis

Back 21

Crosses placenta.

leads to spontaneous abortions, increased incidence of mental subnormality and physical deformities.

Front 22

Condylona acuminatum (Human Papilloma Virus)

Back 22

Trasmission occurs during vaginal birth.

Infection causes formation of epithelial tumors within the larynx of children.

Front 23

Gonorrhea

Back 23

Fetus is exposed during time of delivery.

Maternal infection - postpartum neonate infection

Risks are: opthalmia neonatorum, pneumonia & sepsis

Front 24

Chlamydial Infection

Back 24

Transmission occurs during vaginal birth

Risks are: neonatal conjunctivitis or pneumonitis

Infection w/ mom: premature labor, post partum endometritis

Front 25

Trichomoniasis

Back 25

Associated with premature rupture of membranes and post partum endometritis

Front 26

Genital Herpes

Back 26

If visible lesions are present during the time of pregnancy, a C-section will be necessary to protect the fetus

Front 27

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Back 27

Transmitted through blood, blood products, bodily fluids such as urine, semen and vaginal secretions and breast milk.

repeated exposure through sex inc chance of passing it on to fetus

ZIDOVUDINE :dec risk of transmission

Front 28

Substance Abuse

Back 28

Many substances cross the placenta
Risk: fetal growth restriction, abruptio placentae, and fetal bradycardia.

Physical signs of DA: dilated or contracted pupils, fatigue, inflamed nasal mucosa.

Front 29

Nausea and Vomiting

Back 29

occurs because of increased levels of HCG.

starts in first month and subsides by the third month.

Interventions: small, frequent, low fat meals,

Front 30

Ovaries

Back 30

secrete progesterone for the first 6-7 weeks of preg.

maturation of new follicles are blocked.

ovaries cease ovum production.

Front 31

Skin changes

Back 31

Linea Nigra: dark streak down the midline of the abd

Cholasma: (mask of preg): hyperpig of face

Striae: reddish-purple marks

Vascular spider nevi may occur

Front 32

Syncope

Back 32

occurs in first trimester

triggered hormonally or caused by increased blood volume, anemia, fatigue, sudden position changes, or lying supine.

Interventions: sitting with feet elevated, change positions slowly

Front 33

Urinary urgency and frequency

Back 33

occurs between first and third trimesters

caused by pressure of uterus on the bladder

Interventions: drinking adequate amounts of fluid, limit fluid in the evening, voiding at regular intervals, sleeping side-lying at night, wearing perineal pads, performing Kegel exercises

Front 34

Breast Tenderness

Back 34

caused by increased levels of estrogen and progesterone

Intervention: wear a supportive bra, avoid soap on nipps

Front 35

Increasing vaginal discharge

Back 35

occurs through first and third trimesters

hypertrophy and thickening of the vaginal mucosa and increased mucus production

Interventions: proper cleansing and hygiene techniques, wearing cotton underwear, avoid douching, consult if infection is suspected

Front 36

Nasal Stuffiness

Back 36

occurs through first and third trimesters

Results from increased estrogen

Interventions: encourage use of humidifier, avoid nasal sprays or antihistamines

Front 37

Fatigue

Back 37

Occurs during the first and third trimesters

Results from hormonal changes

Interventions: avoid stimulating foods, frequent rest periods, correct body posture and mechanics, obtain regular exercise, performing muscle relaxation exercises

Front 38

Heartburn

Back 38

occurs in the second and third trimesters

Results from increased progesterone levels, decreased Gi motilitty, esophageal refluc, & displacement of stomach due to large uterus

Interventions: small frequent meals, sitting upright 30 m

Front 39

Ankle Edema

Back 39

usually occurs in the second and third trimester

Results from vasodilation, venous stasis, and increased venous pressure below uterus

Interventions: elevate leds, sleep side-lying, stockings

Front 40

Varicose Veins

Back 40

occurs during second and third trimesters

Results from venous stasis that break capillaries

Interventions: elevation, moving, avoid leg crossing and constrictive clothing

Front 41

Headaches

Back 41

occur during the second and third trimesters

Results from changes in blood volume and vascular tone

Interventions: change positions slowly, Tylenol

Front 42

Hemorrhoids

Back 42

Occur during the second and third trimesters

Result from increased venous pressure and constipation

Intervention: Sitz bath, soft pillow, high fiber food, water

Front 43

Constipation

Back 43

occurs during the second and third trimesters

results from progesterone inc which dec gastric motility adds to taking iron supps

Interventions: high fiber, drinking, exercising, stool softs

Front 44

Backache

Back 44

usually occurs at the second or third trimester

results from exaggerated lumbosacral curve resulting from an enlarged uterus.

Interventions: rest, body mechanics, supp shoes

Front 45

Leg Cramps

Back 45

occurs during the second and third trimesters

results from an altered calcium phosphorus balance and pressure of the uterus on nerves from fatigue

Interventions: regular exercise, inc Cal, dorsiflexing feet

Front 46

Shortness of Breath

Back 46

occurs during the second and third trimesters

Results from pressure on the diaphragm from enlargened uterus

Interventions: frequent rest periods, position w elev, avoid overexertion

Front 47

ABO & Rh Typing

Back 47

determine woman's blood type and rhesus antigen.

If client is Rh - and baby is Rh +, repeat screen and recieve RhoGAM at 28 weeks gestation

Front 48

Rubella Titer

Back 48

negative titer = susceptibility and get immunization postpartum with birth control for 1-3 months after

rubella + RhoGAM is not effective

Not given during preg bc it is a LIVE ATTENUATED VIRUS and can cross the placenta

Front 49

Hemoglobin and Hematocrit levels

Back 49

decline during gestation due to inc in plasma

A decrease in the Hg to less that 10 g/dL or Hct less than 30% indicates anemia

Front 50

Papanicolaou's Smear

Back 50

done during initial prenatal examination to screen for cervical neoplasia.

Front 51

Sickle Cell Screening

Back 51

Indicates clients at risk for sickle cell screening.

Positive test indicates further testing,

Front 52

Tuberculin Skin Test

Back 52

May be done after delivery.

Positive test indicates chest x-ray to r/o active disease.

Chest x-ray cannot be done until after 20 weeks.

Front 53

Hepatitis B surface antigens

Back 53

not contraindicated during pregnancy and may be recommended

Front 54

Alpha-fetoprotein Sampling

Back 54

assesses fetal serum proteins. Can detect Spina Bifida and Down Syndrome. Done at 16-18 weeks gestation.

Elevated Levels: open neural tube and abd wall defects.

Second test will be done if ele, ultrasound as well.

Front 55

Chorionic Villus Sampling

Back 55

Dr aspirates a small sample of chorionic villus at 10-13 weeks gestation.

To detect genetic abnormalities. Fill bladder .

Rh neg women give RhoGAM bc it inc risk of Rh

Front 56

Amniocentesis

Back 56

aspiration of amniotic fluid. Done at 15-20 weeks.

To detect genetic disorders, metabolic defects and fetal lung maturity. Fill bladder if <20 wks, empty if =/> 20 wks

Report to Dr if risks occur. supine and on left side.

Front 57

Kick Counts

Back 57

When mom sits quietly and lies down and counts fetal kicks for a period of time.

If fewer than 10 kicks in 12 hours, tell DR.

Front 58

Nonstress Test

Back 58

assess placental fx and oxygenation (fetal wellbeing).

Reactive = healthy (FHR accels 15 bpm over 20 min)

Nonreactive= danger (FHR no accels <15 bpm over 40 m)