Chapter 11 Maternal Adaptation During Pregnancy

Question 1

The success of pregnancy depends on:

Answer 1

-fertilization and successful implantation of the developing embryo into the endometrium
-development and function of the placenta
-adaptation of the maternal physiology to accept the fetal allograft and satisfy its nutritional, metabolic, and physical demands
-appropriate growth and functional development of organs and homeostatic systems in the fetus
-proper timing of birth so that fetus is mature enough to survive outside the uterus

Question 2

pregnancy is divided into

Answer 2

three semesters of 13 weeks each

Question 3

presumptive (subjective) signs are signs that

Answer 3

-the mother can perceive
-least reliable indicators of pregnancy
-most obvious presumptive sign is absence of menstruation

Question 4

Probable (objective) signs are those that

Answer 4

-can be detected on physical examination by a health care provider

Question 5

softening of the lower uterine segment or isthmus

Answer 5

Hegar sign

Question 6

Softening of the cervix

Answer 6

Goodell sign

Question 7

Bluish-purple coloration of the vaginal mucosa and cervix

Answer 7

Chadwick sign

Question 8

ballottement

Answer 8

examiner pushes against the woman’s cervix during a pelvic examination and feels a rebound from the floating fetus

Question 9

are pregnancy tests considered a probable sign of pregnancy?

Answer 9

Yes

Question 10

What hcg level is considered negative for pregnancy?

Answer 10

lower than 5 mIU/mL

Question 11

what hcg level is considered positive for pregnancy?

Answer 11

anything higher than 25 mIU/mL

Question 12

occurrence of physical symptoms by the partner, similar to the physical symptoms of the mother

Answer 12

Couvade syndrome

Question 13

-specimen: urine
-example: pregnosticon, Gravindex
- if hCG is present in urine, agglutination does not occur which is positive for pregnancy, reliable 14-21 days after conception, 95% accurate in diagnosing pregnancy

Answer 13

Agglutination inhibition tests (qualitative)

Question 14

-specimen: blood serum
-example: Neocept, pregnosis
-measures ability of blood sample to inhibit the binding of radiolabled hCG to receptors; reliable 6-8 days after conception, 99% accurate

Answer 14

Immunoradiometric assay

Question 15

-specimen: blood serum or urine
-ex: otc pregnancy tests
-uses an enzyme to bond with hCG in the urine if present; reliable 4 days after implantation; 99% accurate if hCG-specific

Answer 15

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

Question 16

Positive signs

Answer 16

confirm that a fetus is growing in the uterus

Question 17

how long does the uterus remain in the pelvic cavity before it ascends into abdomen

Answer 17

first 3 months