CMA - CH 13 Key Terms

Question 1

alpha-fetoprotein

Answer 1

Test done during pregnancy testing mother’s serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) blood test. Done approx 16th week of pregnancy; screening test done to rule out neural tube defects, abdominal wall defects, and chromosomal problems such as Down syndrome. If positive additional testing done, IE: amniocentesis or ultrasound for DX.

Question 2

amniocentesis

Answer 2

surgical puncture of the amniotic sac to remove fluid for laboratory analysis

Question 3

amniotomy

Answer 3

artificial rupture of the amniotic sac

Question 4

bacterial vaginosis

Answer 4

an overgrowth of normal vaginal bacteria that results in an abnormal discharge

Question 5

Bartholin glands

Answer 5

one of two small mucous glands located at the vaginal opening at the base of the labia majora

Question 6

bimanual examination

Answer 6

examination performed by the provider using two hands to examine the internal pelvic organs. Two fingers of one hand are inserted into the vagina and the other hand presses on the outside of the abdominal wall. Shape, consistency, and position of the pelvic organs can be determined.

Question 7

candidiasis

Answer 7

infection of the skin or mucous membrane with any species of the fungi, Candida.

Question 8

carcinoma in situ

Answer 8

cancer that does not extend beyond the basement membrane.

Question 9

cervical punch biopsy

Answer 9

biopsy of the uterine cervix using an instrument, the end of which is a punch

Question 10

chlamydia

Answer 10

a bacterium which causes one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases.

Question 11

colposcopy

Answer 11

visual examination of vaginal and cervical tissues using a colposcope following an abnormal pap smear. A magnifying lens and powerful lights are used.

Question 12

condylomata

Answer 12

a wart-like lesion of viral origin found on external genitalia or perianal region.

Question 13

congenital anomalies

Answer 13

conditions present at time of birth that deviate from what is considered normal.

Question 14

contraception

Answer 14

voluntary prevention of pregnancy

Question 15

coupling agent

Answer 15

an agent used when ultrasonography is used; enhances penetration of sound waves through tissue.

Question 16

cryosurgery

Answer 16

destruction of tissue by application of extreme cold, silver nitrate, and carbon dioxide.

Question 17

diethylstilbestrol (DES)

Answer 17

synthetic hormone used therapeutically in menopausal disturbances. It should not be given during pregnancy. It has been related to cervicovaginal malignances in daughters of mothers who had it prescribed for them to treat a threatened abortion. DES has been related to reproductive disorders in males whose mothers took it during pregnancy.

Question 18

dilation

Answer 18

expansion of an orifice or organ.

Question 19

Down syndrome

Answer 19

genetic defect present at birth that is the result of an abnormality of chromosome 21.

Question 20

dysmenorrhea

Answer 20

painful menses.

Question 21

dyspareunia

Answer 21

painful intercourse.

Question 22

dysplasia

Answer 22

abnormal development of tissue

Question 23

eclampsia

Answer 23

complication of pregnancy that includes general edema, hypertension, proteinuria, and convulsions.

Question 24

ectopic pregnancy

Answer 24

implementation of the fertilized ovum outside of the uterine cavity.

Question 25

efacement

Answer 25

thinning and shortening of the cervical canal during labor to permit passage of the fetus.

Question 26

endometriosis

Answer 26

occurs when tissue that resembles the endometrium invades various locations in the pelvic cavity and elsewhere.

Question 27

erosion

Answer 27

destruction of the superficial layer of tissue by trauma, ulceration, or inflammation.

Question 28

formalin

Answer 28

an aqueous solution of 37% formaldehyde.

Question 29

fulgurated

Answer 29

destroyed by electric current

Question 30

genitalia

Answer 30

reproductive organs, internal and external

Question 31

gestation

Answer 31

period of development from fertilization to birth

Question 32

gestational diabetes

Answer 32

Diabetes that first manifests clinically during pregnancy. It usually subsides after delivery.

Question 33

gravidity

Answer 33

total number of pregnancies a woman has had regardless of duration , including a present one.

Question 34

human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Answer 34

hormone secreted by the trophoblast after fertilization of the ovum. It may be detected in the blood and urine ofpregnant women.

Question 35

hyperemesis gravidarum

Answer 35

severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy with inability to eat. May lead to severe dehydration.

Question 36

hypoxia

Answer 36

oxygen deficiency

Question 37

hysterosalpingogram

Answer 37

X-ray of uterus and fallopian tubes using a contrast medium

Question 38

intraepithelial

Answer 38

within the epithelium

Question 39

involutes

Answer 39

when the uterus returns to normal size and shape after childbirth

Question 40

Lamaze

Answer 40

a method of childbirth which teaches the mother about the physiology of childbirth and techniques of relaxation, concentration, and breathing.

Question 41

laparoscopy

Answer 41

procedure in which a lighted instrument is used to view the inside of the pelvic cavity.

Question 42

lochia

Answer 42

discharge from the uterus of blood, mucus, and tissue during the period after childbirth.

Question 43

meconium

Answer 43

first feces of a newborn.

Question 44

menopausal hormone therapy (MHT)

Answer 44

when natural hormones are symptomatically absent and hormones from outside the body are ingested to elevate levels.

Question 45

metrorrhagia

Answer 45

uterine bleeding at irregular intervals

Question 46

multigravida

Answer 46

a woman who has been pregnant more than once

Question 47

Nagele's rule

Answer 47

usual method of calculating expected DOB

Question 48

neonatal

Answer 48

pertaining to a newborn

Question 49

nullipara

Answer 49

a woman who has not carried a pregnancy to the stage of viability

Question 50

oxytocin

Answer 50

a pituitary hormone that stimulates the muscles of the uterus to contract, thus inducing labor.

Question 51

Pap (Papanicolaou) test

Answer 51

screening exam to detect the presence of abnormal cervical cells

Question 52

parity

Answer 52

carrying a pregnancy to the point of viability regardless of the outcome

Question 53

parturition

Answer 53

process of giving birth

Question 54

patency

Answer 54

open, not blocked

Question 55

pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Answer 55

infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and adjacent pelvic structures; most common causes are gonorrhea and chlamydia, spread as sexually transmitted diseases.

Question 56

placenta abruptio

Answer 56

sudden and abrupt separation of the placenta from uterine wall

Question 57

placenta previa

Answer 57

occurs when the placenta lies low in the uterus and can partially or completely cover the cervical os

Question 58

polycystic

Answer 58

many cysts; as in polycystic ovarian syndrome in which the ovary is enlarged and has many fluid-filled sacs

Question 59

postcoital

Answer 59

period of time after (following) sexual intercourse

Question 60

preeclampsia

Answer 60

a complication of pregnancy characterized by generalized edema, hypertension, ad proteinuria

Question 61

prenatal

Answer 61

period of time between fertilization and birth

Question 62

primigravidas

Answer 62

women who are pregnant for the first time

Question 63

prostaglandins

Answer 63

modulators of biochemical activity in tissues

Question 64

puerperium

Answer 64

period from the end of the third stage of labor until involution of uterus is complete, usually 3 - 6 weeks

Question 65

sickle cell anemia

Answer 65

an inherited blood disorder that may shorten lifespan

Question 66

supine hypotension

Answer 66

condition that may occur when a pregnant woman is loying in supine position; the heavy, large uterus presses on the inferior vena cava and aorga, reducing blood flow back to the heart

Question 67

Tay-Sachs

Answer 67

inherited disease that is usually fatal

Question 68

thalassenia

Answer 68

hereditary anemia that may be fatal

Question 69

titer

Answer 69

measure of the amount of antibody present against a particular antigen

Question 70

trichomoniasis

Answer 70

infestation with a Trichomonas parasite, which may be transmitted through sexual intercourse

Question 71

trimester

Answer 71

three months; one third of the gestational period of pregnancy.

Question 72

ultrasonography

Answer 72

process of placing a handheld transducer against a body area to be tested. The transducer sends sound waves through the skin and the various internal organs. When echoes are formed and sent back, the transducer converts them into electrical signals. The energy is transformed into a picture on a monitor or printed on paper. Photographs of the images can be taken and become a part of the patient's permanent record.

Question 73

vesicles

Answer 73

blisters or other elevations on the skin

Question 74

viability

Answer 74

ability to live, grow, and develop after birth; usually 12 weeks or greater than 1 pound.

Question 75

wet mount

Answer 75

a method of adding liquid, usually saline or potassium hydrochloride, to a specimen on a slide for exam and preservation. The specimen is placed on a slide and one drop of saline (for diagnosis of trichomonas vaginalis) or potassium hydrochloride (for DX of yeast infections) is applied and mixed with the specimen. It is then covered with a coverslip and examined microscopically.