Ch 34 - Neonatal Care - Vocab

Question 1

abruptio placentae

Answer 1

Premature separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus.

Question 2

amniotic sac

Answer 2

The fluid-filled, baglike membrane in which the fetus develops.

Question 3

anemic

Answer 3

Describes a condition in which the patient has too few red blood cells, resulting in a decreased ability to transport oxygen throughout the body via the bloodstream.

Question 4

Apgar score

Answer 4

A scoring system for assessing the status of a newborn that assigns a number value to each of five areas (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respirations)

Question 5

birth canal

Answer 5

The vagina and cervix.

Question 6

bloody show

Answer 6

A small amount of blood in the vagina that appears at the beginning of labor and may include a plug of pink-tinged mucus that is discharged when the cervix begins to dilate.

Question 7

breech presentation

Answer 7

A delivery in which the buttocks come out first.

Question 8

cervix

Answer 8

The lower third, or neck, of the uterus.

Question 9

crowning

Answer 9

The appearance of the fetus’s head at the vaginal opening during labor.

Question 10

eclampsia

Answer 10

A pregnancy complication that is characterized by new-onset hypertension (systolic blood pressure >140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure >90 mm Hg) with seizure activity and preceding systemic effects, such as blurred vision, headache, or protein in the urine. It is differentiated from preeclampsia by the presence of seizure activity.

Question 11

ectopic pregnancy

Answer 11

A pregnancy that develops outside the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube.

Question 12

embryo

Answer 12

The early stage of development after the fertilization of the egg (first 10 weeks).

Question 13

endometrium

Answer 13

The lining of the inside of the uterus.

Question 14

fetal alcohol syndrome

Answer 14

A condition caused by the consumption of alcohol by a pregnant woman; characterized by growth and physical problems, mental retardation, and a variety of congenital abnormalities in her child.

Question 15

fetus

Answer 15

The developing, unborn infant inside the uterus, from 10 weeks after fertilization until birth.

Question 16

fundus

Answer 16

The dome-shaped top of the uterus.

Question 17

gestational diabetes

Answer 17

Diabetes that develops during pregnancy in women who did not have diabetes before pregnancy.

Question 18

gestational hypertension

Answer 18

gestational hypertension A blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg systolic or 90 mm Hg diastolic in a pregnant female in whom hypertension has not previously been diagnosed.

Question 19

induced abortion

Answer 19

The elective termination of a pregnancy prior to the time of viability.

Question 20

lightening

Answer 20

The movement of the fetus down into the pelvis late in pregnancy.

Question 21

limb presentation

Answer 21

A delivery in which the presenting part is a single arm or leg.

Question 22

meconium

Answer 22

Fetal stool. When appearing as a dark green material in the amniotic fluid, it can indicate distress or disease in the newborn; it can be aspirated into the fetus’s lungs during delivery.

Question 23

menarche

Answer 23

The first menstrual cycle or onset of the first menstrual bleeding in females.

Question 24

menopause

Answer 24

The cessation of menstruation, typically in the fourth or fifth decade of life.

Question 25

miscarriage

Answer 25

The spontaneous passage of the fetus and placenta before 20 weeks; also called spontaneous abortion.

Question 26

multigravida

Answer 26

A woman who has had previous pregnancies.

Question 27

nuchal cord

Answer 27

An umbilical cord that is wrapped around the fetus’s neck.

Question 28

perineum

Answer 28

The area of the skin between the vagina and the anus.

Question 29

placenta

Answer 29

The tissue attached to the uterine wall that nourishes the fetus through the umbilical cord.

Question 30

placenta previa

Answer 30

A condition in which the placenta develops over and covers the cervix.

Question 31

preeclampsia

Answer 31

A pregnancy complication that is characterized by new-onset hypertension (systolic blood pressure >140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure >90 mm Hg) along with systemic effects, such as blurred vision, headache, or protein in the urine. Differentiated from eclampsia by the lack of seizure activity.

Question 32

presentation

Answer 32

The position in which an infant is born; defined by the part of the body that appears first.

Question 33

primigravida

Answer 33

A woman who is experiencing her first pregnancy.

Question 34

prolapse of the umbilical cord

Answer 34

A situation in which the umbilical cord comes out of the vagina before the fetus.

Question 35

spina bifida

Answer 35

A developmental defect in which a portion of the spinal cord or meninges may protrude outside of the vertebrae and possibly even outside of the body, usually at the lower third of the spine in the lumbar area.

Question 36

spontaneous abortion

Answer 36

The loss of a pregnancy prior to 20 weeks of gestation without any preceding surgical or medical intervention. Often called a miscarriage.

Question 37

supine hypotensive syndrome

Answer 37

Low blood pressure resulting from compression of the inferior vena cava by the weight of the pregnant uterus when the woman is supine.

Question 38

term gestation

Answer 38

A pregnancy that has reached full term, between 39 weeks and 40 weeks, 6 days.

Question 39

umbilical cord

Answer 39

The structure that connects the pregnant woman to the fetus via the placenta; contains two arteries and one vein.

Question 40

vernix caseosa

Answer 40

A white, cheesy substance that covers the body of the fetus.

Question 41

vertex presentation

Answer 41

A delivery in which the head of the newborn comes out first