6 (U) - NCLEX - MATERNITY NURSING: Key Terms

Question 1

The pale, straw-colored fluid that surrounds and protects the fetus. Fetus floats in this fluid, which serves as a cushion against injury from sudden blows or movements.

Answer 1

amniotic fluid

Question 2

The __ __ helps maintain a constant body temperature for the fetus.

Answer 2

amniotic fluid

Question 3

The fetus modifies the amniotic fluid through the processes of (3)

Answer 3

1. swallowing
2. urinating
3. movement through the respiratory tract

Question 4

The rebounding of the fetus against the examiner’s finger palpitation, beginning at 16-18 weeks of gestation. When the cervix is tapped, the fetus floats upward i the amniotic fluid. A rebound is felt by the examiner when the fetus falls back.

Answer 4

belottement

Question 5

The violet-bluish coloration of the vaginal mucous membranes that is visible from about 4 weeks’ gestation and presents as a result of increases vascularity. This is considered a probably sign of preganany

Answer 5

Chadwick’s sign

Question 6

The actual event of birth. The expulsion or extraction of the neonate and the fetal membranes at birth.

Answer 6

delivery

Question 7

A union of an ovum and sperm. Occurs within 12h of ovulation and within 2-3 days of insemination, the average duration of viability of the ovum and sperm

Answer 7

fertilization

Question 8

The softening of the cervix. This occurs at the beginning of the second month of gestation and considered a probable sign of pregnancy

Answer 8

Goodell’s sign

Question 9

A pregnant woman. The woman is called gravida I (or primigravida) during the

Answer 9

gravida

Question 10

The woman is called __ or __ during the first pregnancy

Answer 10

gravida I, or primigravida

Question 11

The woman is called __ _ during the second pregnancy

Answer 11

gravida II

Question 12

The compressibility and softening of the lower uterine segment. This occurs at about 6 weeks gestation, and is considered a probable sign of pregnancy.

Answer 12

Hegar’s sign

Question 13

The embedding of the fertilized ovum in the uterine mucosa, which occurs 6 - 10 days after conception

Answer 13

implantation

Question 14

A human born alive; also, a human from 28 days of age until the first birthday

Answer 14

infant

Question 15

A coordinated sequence of rhythmic, involuntary uterine contractions that result in the effacement and dilation of cervix. This is followed by expulsion of the products of conception

Answer 15

labor

Question 16

Ratio of two components of amniotic fluid, used for predicting fetal lung maturity; normal __ ratio in amniotic fluid is 2:1 or greater when the fetal lungs mature.

Answer 16

lecithin-to-sphingomyelin ratio

Question 17

Vaginal discharge from the uterus that consists of blood from the vessels of the placental site, tissue debris from the decidua, and mucous.

Answer 17

lochia

Question 18

Lochia lasts for 2-6 weeks postpartum and is differentiated by color; (3)

Answer 18

1. rubra
2. serosa
3. alba

Question 19

A way to determine the estimated date of birth that works on the premise that the woman has a 28 day menstrual cycle. Subtract 3 months from the first day of the last menstrual period, add 7 days, and then adjust the year.

Answer 19

Nagele’s rule

Question 20

A human offspring from the time of birth to day 28 of life

Answer 20

newborn; neonate

Question 21

The number of pregnancies that have reached viability, regardless of whether the infants were alive or stillborn

Answer 21

parity

Question 22

The organ that provides for the exchange of nutrients and waste products between the fetus and the mother, and that produces hormones to maintain pregnancy.

Answer 22

placenta

Question 23

Placenta develops by the (1) month of gestation and is also called (2)

Answer 23

1. third

2. afterbirth

Question 24

The maternal perception of fetal movement, which usually appears around 16 - 20 weeks’ gestation

Answer 24

quickening

Question 25

Phospholipid that is necessary to keep the fetal lung alveoli from collapsing; amount is usually SUFFICIENT after 32 weeks’ gestation.

Answer 25

surfactant

Question 26

Organ located behind the symphysis pubis, between the bladder and the rectum.

Answer 26

uterus

Question 27

The uterus has four parts (4)

Answer 27

1. fundus (upper)
2. corpus (body)
3. isthmus (lower segment)
4. cervix

Question 28

Tubular structure located behind the bladder and in front of the rectum; it extends from the cervix to the vaginal opening in the perineum.

Answer 28

vagina

Question 29

The vagina functions as (3)

Answer 29

1. outflow tract for menstrual fluid, and vaginal/cervical secretions
2. birth canal
3. organ for coitus