The nurse has attended a staff education program about the signs of pregnancy. Which of the following is considered a positive sign of pregnancy?
The nurse has attended a staff education program about the signs of pregnancy. Which of the following is considered a positive sign of pregnancy?
A. Amenorrhea
[3%]
B. Uterine soufflé
[1%]
C. Positive pregnancy test
[9%]
D. Fetal heartbeat
[86%]
Statistics
Subject/Lesson
Subject
Maternal & Newborn Health
Lesson
Antepartum
Client Need
Test Plan
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Related Topic
Ante/Intra/Postpartum and Newborn Care
Item Type
Item Type
Knowledge/Comprehension
Explanation
Choice D is correct. A fetal heartbeat can be detected with a doppler as early as 10-12 weeks of pregnancy and is considered a positive or diagnostic sign of fertility. Signs of pregnancy can be presumptive, probable, or positive. Because likely signs of pregnancy may also occur when other conditions are present, the nurse needs to know what each possible indicator of pregnancy means.
Choice A is incorrect. Amenorrhea, the absence of menses, is considered a presumptive sign of pregnancy. It is a more helpful sign when multiple cycles have been missed.
Choice B is incorrect. Uterine soufflé is the sound heard on auscultation over the uterus that is caused by blood flow through the placenta. It is considered a probable sign of pregnancy but not a definite sign of pregnancy since other conditions like uterine myomas or ovarian tumors can cause it.
Choice C is incorrect. A positive pregnancy test is based on the detection of human chorionic gonadotropin. It is present during pregnancy, but other conditions can cause it to be elevated, so it is considered a probable sign of pregnancy.
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2 Key Topics
Signs of Pregnancy
