Pregnancy & Amniotic Fluid

Question 1

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Answer 1

1. Keeps maternal and fetal circulation systems separate
2. Nourishes the fetus
3. Eliminates fetal waste
4. Produces hormones vital to pregnancy

Question 2

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Answer 2

Protein:
1. HCG: stimulates the ovary to produce progesterone in order to protect the pregnancy
2. Placental lactogen: potent growth and lactogenic properties

Estrogens & Progesterone:
- Appropriate development of the endometrium
- Uterine growth
- Adequate uterine blood supply
- Preparation of the uterus for labor

Question 3

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Answer 3

1. Cushions the baby against possible injury
2. Helps maintain a constant temperature

Question 4

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Answer 4

a. 8-11 days after conception
b. two (2) days in early pregnancy
c. the peak hCG concentration occurs near the end of the first trimester

Question 5

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Answer 5

In general, the serum hCG conc. in ectopic pregnancies is LESS than the corresponding serum hCG concentration for a normal pregnancy

In ectopic pregancies, the doubbling time is nearly always greater than two days

Question 6

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Answer 6

Preclampsia:
1. Hypertension
2. Proteinuria
3. Edema
Eclampsia:
1. Convulsions
2. Intravascular deposition of fibrin with subsequent end-organ damage
HELLP Syndrome
-Thrombocytopenia & DIC
- Epigastric pain, malaise, nausea, vomiting, and headache
- LD, ALT, AST elevated

Question 7

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Answer 7

Down Syndrome:
- three (3) copies of chromosome 21
Edward’s Syndrome
- extra copy of chromosome 18