NUR2633 Exam 1 Study Guide Maternal Child Health Nursing
EDC/EDD- Estimated date of confinement/estimated delivery date
Gravid- Pregnant
Parity- Number of pregnancies carried to a point of viability (24 weeks) regardless of outcome
Striae- Stretch marks on abdomen and thighs
Braxton Hicks Contractions- False, contractions, painless, irregular, and usually relieved by
walking
Linea Nigra- Dark line of pigmentation from the umbilicus extending to the public area
Chadwick’s sign- Deepened violet-bluish color of cervix and vaginal mucosa
Amenorrhea- no menstrual flow
STI- Sexually transmitted infections
Hyperemesis gravidarum- persistent vomiting
Leopold’s maneuver- external palpations of the maternal uterus through the abdominal wall to
determine number of fetuses; presenting part, lie, and fetal attitude; degree of descent of the
presenting part into the pelvis; location of point of maximal impulse (location of fetal heart
tones).
Colostrum- secreted during postpartum days 1 to 3. Contains IgA that provides passive immunity
to the newborn.
Quickening- Slight fluttering movements of the fetus felt by a woman, usually between 16 and
20 weeks.
Lightening- fetal head descends into the true pelvis about 14 days before labor; “dropped”; easier
breathing but more pressure on the bladder causing urinary frequency; more pronounced in
patient who are primigravida
Doppler- noninvasive ultrasound to measure the velocity at which RBCs travel in the uterine and
fetal vessels
Fetoscope- fiber optic scope used in percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS) or
amniocentesis
Amniocentesis- aspiration of amniotic fluid by needle insertion transabdominally into the client’s
uterus and amniotic sac after 14 weeks to test for genetic abnormalities
Maternal serum alpha fetal protein (MSAFP)- screening tool used to detect neural tube defects.
,hCG- Human chorionic gonadotropin- hormone produced by placenta
LMP- Last menstrual period
Menarche- First menstrual period one year after peak velocity; between 9 and 15 years old
Nagele’s Rule- take the first day of the woman LMP, add seven days, subtract three months, and
add one year.
Fundal Height- in cm from pubic symphysis to the top of the uterine fundus after 12 weeks;
relates to gestational weeks.
Bishop’s Score- determines maternal readiness for labor by evaluating the cervix: dilation,
effacement, consistency (firm, medium, soft), position (posterior, midposition, anterior), and
station; all assigned a value between 0-3
Freidman’s curve- rates cervical dilation and fetal descent during active labor
Cervical dilation- most important indicator of progress of labor; part of Bishops score; 1 cm/hr
during labor; cervix ripens by dilation; provides uterus with exposure to external environment
through vagina
Effacement- cervical thinning and shortening; part of Bishops score
Station- presenting part of Bishops score; measurement of fetal descent in cm with station 0
being at the level of an imaginary line at the level of the ischial spines, minus stations superior to
the ischial spines, and plus stations inferior to the ischial spines
Pap smear- at age 21 or 3 years after first sexual intercourse; then every 3 years or new partner
C-Section- surgical removal of baby through incision in the abdomen—cesarean
Progesterone- fluctuating during menstrual cycle
Amniotic fluid- alkaline, clear, odorless fluid that surrounds the fetus
Trimester- first (0-12 weeks), second (13-27), third (28-birth)
Leukorrhea- white or yellow discharge of mucus from vagina; from hyperplasia of the vaginal
mucosa and increases mucus production from the endocervial glands
Embryo- less than 8 weeks
Fetus-8+ weeks until birth
,Non Stress test- for fetal well-being in third trimester or 28+ weeks; noninvasive; response of
fetal heart rate to fetal movement; Doppler used to monitor fetal heart rate, monitor contractions;
tracing strips over abdomen then client pushed button when she feels the fetus move; assess fetal
status
Contraction stress test- for high-risk pregnancies (gestational diabetes mellitus, postterm
pregnancy), used when criteria is not met after non stress test; assess fetal status
Biophysical profile- used when criteria is not met after non stress test; assess fetal status; real-
time ultrasounds to visualize physical and physiological characteristics of the fetus and observe
for fetal biophysical responses to stimuli
Amniotic fluid index- fetal well-being; part of biophysical profile; amount of amniotic fluid
Vertex- head down
Breech- butt or feet first
Corpus luteum- after ovulation; not fertilized will shrink and disappear; otherwise becomes
embryo
Ptyalism- watery mouth before you throw up
Pica- craving unusual food
Fetal Fibronectin- vaginal swab between 24-34 weeks; related to inflammation of the placenta
which can lead to preterm birth
Apgar- 1 and 5 minutes after birth to assess for abnormalities and intervene in necessary
, Moro reflex- birth to 4 months; strike flat surface baby is laying on, or allowing the head and
trunk in a semi sitting position to fall backward to an angle of at least 30 degrees. Arms and legs
symmetrically extend and then abduct while fingers spread to form a “C”
Ballard Scale- assesses neuromuscular and physical maturity; six different ranges; each range
assigned a value from -1 to 5; totals added to give maturity rating in weeks gestation (a score of
35 indicates 38 weeks of gestation)
Caput- localized swelling of the soft tissue of the scalp caused by pressure on the head during
labor
Erythema toxicum- pink rash appearing on the body of a term newborn during the first three
weeks. (Newborn rash). No treatment needed
Lanugo- fine downy hair; found on pinna, forehead, and shoulders
Acrocynosis- cyanotic hands and feet
Meconium- within first 24 hours after birth; babies first poop; bad stuff
Gastroschisis- stomach and intestines come out the abdomen but inside the skin
Oomphalacele- stomach and intestines on the outside of skin
Meningocele- contains dura mater and spinal fluid
Myelomeningocele- sac with dura matter, spinal fluid, and portion of spinal cord- spina bifida
Bulb syringe- suck out secretions from baby, such as vomit
Vitamin K- prevent hemorrhagic disorders in babies because of lack of vitamin K in the GI;
starts to produce about day 8 through formula; 0.5 to 1 mg IM into vastus lateralis within 1 hour
of birth.
Erythromycin ophthalmic- prevent neonatorum or gonorrhea or chlamydia can cause blindness
Necrotizing enterocolitis- Inflammatory disease in the GI due to ischemia; results in short gut
syndrome; removal of dead small bowels
Necrotizing osteochondritis- resulting from penetration of bone with a lancet during heel stick
FOC- Front occipital circumference- measured daily- across forehead top of the pinna and across
the occipital area
Subinvolution- Uterus remains enlarged with continued lochial discharge and may result in
postpartum hemorrhage- boggy uterus- higher than normal
EDC/EDD- Estimated date of confinement/estimated delivery date
Gravid- Pregnant
Parity- Number of pregnancies carried to a point of viability (24 weeks) regardless of outcome
Striae- Stretch marks on abdomen and thighs
Braxton Hicks Contractions- False, contractions, painless, irregular, and usually relieved by
walking
Linea Nigra- Dark line of pigmentation from the umbilicus extending to the public area
Chadwick’s sign- Deepened violet-bluish color of cervix and vaginal mucosa
Amenorrhea- no menstrual flow
STI- Sexually transmitted infections
Hyperemesis gravidarum- persistent vomiting
Leopold’s maneuver- external palpations of the maternal uterus through the abdominal wall to
determine number of fetuses; presenting part, lie, and fetal attitude; degree of descent of the
presenting part into the pelvis; location of point of maximal impulse (location of fetal heart
tones).
Colostrum- secreted during postpartum days 1 to 3. Contains IgA that provides passive immunity
to the newborn.
Quickening- Slight fluttering movements of the fetus felt by a woman, usually between 16 and
20 weeks.
Lightening- fetal head descends into the true pelvis about 14 days before labor; “dropped”; easier
breathing but more pressure on the bladder causing urinary frequency; more pronounced in
patient who are primigravida
Doppler- noninvasive ultrasound to measure the velocity at which RBCs travel in the uterine and
fetal vessels
Fetoscope- fiber optic scope used in percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS) or
amniocentesis
Amniocentesis- aspiration of amniotic fluid by needle insertion transabdominally into the client’s
uterus and amniotic sac after 14 weeks to test for genetic abnormalities
Maternal serum alpha fetal protein (MSAFP)- screening tool used to detect neural tube defects.
,hCG- Human chorionic gonadotropin- hormone produced by placenta
LMP- Last menstrual period
Menarche- First menstrual period one year after peak velocity; between 9 and 15 years old
Nagele’s Rule- take the first day of the woman LMP, add seven days, subtract three months, and
add one year.
Fundal Height- in cm from pubic symphysis to the top of the uterine fundus after 12 weeks;
relates to gestational weeks.
Bishop’s Score- determines maternal readiness for labor by evaluating the cervix: dilation,
effacement, consistency (firm, medium, soft), position (posterior, midposition, anterior), and
station; all assigned a value between 0-3
Freidman’s curve- rates cervical dilation and fetal descent during active labor
Cervical dilation- most important indicator of progress of labor; part of Bishops score; 1 cm/hr
during labor; cervix ripens by dilation; provides uterus with exposure to external environment
through vagina
Effacement- cervical thinning and shortening; part of Bishops score
Station- presenting part of Bishops score; measurement of fetal descent in cm with station 0
being at the level of an imaginary line at the level of the ischial spines, minus stations superior to
the ischial spines, and plus stations inferior to the ischial spines
Pap smear- at age 21 or 3 years after first sexual intercourse; then every 3 years or new partner
C-Section- surgical removal of baby through incision in the abdomen—cesarean
Progesterone- fluctuating during menstrual cycle
Amniotic fluid- alkaline, clear, odorless fluid that surrounds the fetus
Trimester- first (0-12 weeks), second (13-27), third (28-birth)
Leukorrhea- white or yellow discharge of mucus from vagina; from hyperplasia of the vaginal
mucosa and increases mucus production from the endocervial glands
Embryo- less than 8 weeks
Fetus-8+ weeks until birth
,Non Stress test- for fetal well-being in third trimester or 28+ weeks; noninvasive; response of
fetal heart rate to fetal movement; Doppler used to monitor fetal heart rate, monitor contractions;
tracing strips over abdomen then client pushed button when she feels the fetus move; assess fetal
status
Contraction stress test- for high-risk pregnancies (gestational diabetes mellitus, postterm
pregnancy), used when criteria is not met after non stress test; assess fetal status
Biophysical profile- used when criteria is not met after non stress test; assess fetal status; real-
time ultrasounds to visualize physical and physiological characteristics of the fetus and observe
for fetal biophysical responses to stimuli
Amniotic fluid index- fetal well-being; part of biophysical profile; amount of amniotic fluid
Vertex- head down
Breech- butt or feet first
Corpus luteum- after ovulation; not fertilized will shrink and disappear; otherwise becomes
embryo
Ptyalism- watery mouth before you throw up
Pica- craving unusual food
Fetal Fibronectin- vaginal swab between 24-34 weeks; related to inflammation of the placenta
which can lead to preterm birth
Apgar- 1 and 5 minutes after birth to assess for abnormalities and intervene in necessary
, Moro reflex- birth to 4 months; strike flat surface baby is laying on, or allowing the head and
trunk in a semi sitting position to fall backward to an angle of at least 30 degrees. Arms and legs
symmetrically extend and then abduct while fingers spread to form a “C”
Ballard Scale- assesses neuromuscular and physical maturity; six different ranges; each range
assigned a value from -1 to 5; totals added to give maturity rating in weeks gestation (a score of
35 indicates 38 weeks of gestation)
Caput- localized swelling of the soft tissue of the scalp caused by pressure on the head during
labor
Erythema toxicum- pink rash appearing on the body of a term newborn during the first three
weeks. (Newborn rash). No treatment needed
Lanugo- fine downy hair; found on pinna, forehead, and shoulders
Acrocynosis- cyanotic hands and feet
Meconium- within first 24 hours after birth; babies first poop; bad stuff
Gastroschisis- stomach and intestines come out the abdomen but inside the skin
Oomphalacele- stomach and intestines on the outside of skin
Meningocele- contains dura mater and spinal fluid
Myelomeningocele- sac with dura matter, spinal fluid, and portion of spinal cord- spina bifida
Bulb syringe- suck out secretions from baby, such as vomit
Vitamin K- prevent hemorrhagic disorders in babies because of lack of vitamin K in the GI;
starts to produce about day 8 through formula; 0.5 to 1 mg IM into vastus lateralis within 1 hour
of birth.
Erythromycin ophthalmic- prevent neonatorum or gonorrhea or chlamydia can cause blindness
Necrotizing enterocolitis- Inflammatory disease in the GI due to ischemia; results in short gut
syndrome; removal of dead small bowels
Necrotizing osteochondritis- resulting from penetration of bone with a lancet during heel stick
FOC- Front occipital circumference- measured daily- across forehead top of the pinna and across
the occipital area
Subinvolution- Uterus remains enlarged with continued lochial discharge and may result in
postpartum hemorrhage- boggy uterus- higher than normal
