Section 4: Obstetrics 4 Flashcards
A 29-year-old primigravida presents to the emergency department at 19 weeks’ gestation with lower pelvic pressure without contractions. She reports increased clear vaginal mucus discharge. Fetal membranes are found to be bulging into the vagina, and the cervix cannot be palpated. Fetal feet can be felt through the membranes. What is the next step in management?
a. Abdominal cerclage
b. Prophylactic antibiotics
c. Tocolysis
d. Vaginal cerclage
e. Rule out chorioamnionitis
E. Although emergency cerclage (vaginal or abdominal) is indicated in women who present with cervical dilation in the absence of labor or abruption, it can only be performed when chorioamnionitis is first ruled out. Tocolysis is not appropriate in management of cervical insufficiency. Prophylactic antibiotics and tocolytics are not recommended
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 13272-13293). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Indications for methotrexate in abortion
- Pregnancy mass < 3.5 cm diameter
- Absence of fetal heart motion
- ß-hCG level < 6,000 mIU
- No history of folic supplementation
Risk factors for cervical insufficiency
- Second-trimester abortion
- Cervical laceration during delivery
- Deep cervical conization
- Diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 13272-13293). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Rx of cervical insufficiency
- Perform elective cerclage placement at 13– 16 weeks’ gestation for patients with ≥ 3 unexplained midtrimester pregnancy losses
- Only perform urgent cerclage after first ruling out labor and chorioamnionitis
- Perform cerclage removal at 36– 37 weeks, after fetal lung maturity
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 13293-13308). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
What is the next step in management of an asymptomatic woman with no prior history of preterm labor, found to have short cervix on routine transvaginal ultrasound before 16– 20 weeks?
Transvaginal ultrasound surveillance to evaluate for persistent cervical shortening, and to evaluate for changes in cervical dilation; however, cerclage is not indicated unless dilation is present and chorioamnionitis or signs of labor are not present. Repeat the exam after 20 weeks if short cervix is still present
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 13293-13308). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)
IUGR is the diagnosis when the estimated fetal weight (EFW) is < 5-10 percentile for gestational age or birthweight of < 2,500 g (5 lb, 8 oz).
Accurate, early pregnancy dating is essential for making the diagnosis. An early sonogram (< 20 weeks) is the next step in management if accurate dates are not known.
True or False: Never change the gestational age based on a late sonogram.
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 13293-13308). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
True
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 13308-13354). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
List the causes of symmetric IUGR (Fetal causes)
↓ growth potential
- Aneuploidy
- Infection (e.g., TORCH)
- Structural anomalies
- Congenital heart disease,
- NTD
- Ventral wall defects
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 13308-13354). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
List the causes of symmetric IUGR (Maternal causes)
↓ placental perfusion
- Hypertension
- Small vessel disease (e.g., SLE)
- Malnutrition
- Tobacco, alcohol, street drugs
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 13308-13354). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
List the causes of symmetric IUGR (Placental causes)
↓ placental perfusion
- Infarction
- Abruption
- Twin-twin transfusion
- Velamentous cord insertion
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 13308-13354). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Ultrasound findings in IUGR
- Fetal causes
- Maternal and placental causes
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 13308-13354). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
- ↓ in all measurements
- ↓ abdomen measurements; normal head measurements
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 13308-13354). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
List the workup for fetal causes of IUGR
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 13308-13354). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
- Detailed sonogram
- Karyotype
- Screen for fetal infections
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 13308-13354). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
List the workup for maternal and placenta causes of IUGR
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 13308-13354). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
- Serial sonograms
- Nonstress test
- Amniotic fluid index (AFI)
- Biophysical profile
- Umbilical artery Doppler
AFI is often decreased, especially with severe uteroplacental insufficiency
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 13308-13354). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Macrosomia is indicated by a fetus with estimated fetal weight (EFW) > 90– 95 percentile for gestational age or birth weight of 4,000– 4,500 g
List the risk factors for macrosomia
- GDM
- Overt diabetes
- Prolonged gestation
- Obesity
- ↑ ↑ in pregnancy weight gain
- Multiparity
- Male fetus
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 13355-13378). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
List the complications and management of fetal macrosomia
Complications include:
-
Maternal:
- Injury during birth
- Postpartum hemorrhage
- Emergency cesarean section
-
Fetus:
- Shoulder dystocia
- Birth injury
- Asphyxia
-
Neonate:
- Hypoglycemia
- Erb palsy
Management: Elective cesarean (if EFW > 4,500 g in diabetic mother or > 5,000 g in nondiabetic mother)
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 13355-13378). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM):
This is rupture of the fetal membranes before the onset of labor.
What is the most common risk factor for PROM?
Ascending infection from the lower genital tract
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 13401-13411). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
How is the diagnosis of PROM made?
- Sterile speculum examination reveals the following:
- There is posterior fornix pooling of clear amniotic fluid (AF)
- Fluid is nitrazine positive
- Fluid is ferning positive
- Ultrasound: Oligohydramnios
Criteria for clinically diagnosis of chorioamnionitis
- Maternal fever and uterine tenderness
- Confirmed PROM
- Absence of a URI or UTI
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 13425-13428). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Outline the management of PROM under the follwing circumstances
- Presence of uterine contractions
- Presence of chorioamnionitis
- Absence of infection before viability (< 24 weeks)
- Absence of infection with preterm viability (24-33 weeks)
- Absence of infection at term (34 weeks)
- If uterine contractions are present, do not give tocolysis
- If chorioamnionitis is present
- Get cervical cultures
- Start IV antibiotics
- Schedule delivery
- Manage patient with bed rest at home
-
Hospitalize
- Give IM betamethasone if < 32 weeks
- Obtain cervical cultures
- Begin prophylactic ampicillin and erythromycin for 7 days
- At term (> 34 weeks): Initiate delivery.
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 13425-13428).
Obstetric ultrasound
- What does the crown–rump length determines?
- When is the crown-rump length done
- What are the indications for high resolution ultrasonography
- Determines gestational age
- At 10 – 13 weeks
- Abnormal maternal serum markers or a family history of congenital malformations
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 13355-13378). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Chorionic villous sampling (CVS)
- When is CVS perfomed?
- Why is it performed
- What is the pregnancy loss rate
- At 12 – 14 weeks
- For karyotyping
- 0.7%
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 13355-13378). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.