PN 3003 VARIATIONS 2026 FINAL PAPER
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FULL
SOLUTION
◉ Respiratory changes in pregnancy.
Answer: Tidal volume increases (increasing vital capacity and
decreasing residual volume), increased oxygen consumption,
possible SOB
◉ GI system changes in pregnancy.
Answer: N&V, appetite increases, heartburn, constipation,
gallbladder may dilate and empty less completely
◉ Urinary changes in pregnancy.
Answer: Renal blood flow increases. Possible glycosuria/proteinuria.
Water retention increases. Residual urine increases. Risk for UTIs
increases
◉ Haematological changes in pregnancy.
Answer: Plasma volume increases. RBCs increase. Demand for iron
increases. Clotting factors/fibrinogen increase. Serum albumin
decreases.
,◉ Metabolic changes in pregnancy.
Answer: Basal metabolic rate increases slowly. Active energy
expenditure falls. Weight gain (normal 11.4-15.9kg).
◉ Skin changes in pregnancy.
Answer: Hyperpigmentation of the umbilicus, nipples, abdominal
midline (linea nigra) and face (melasma (chloasma)) are common
due to the hormonal changes of pregnancy. Hyperdynamic
circulation and high levels of estrogen may cause spider naevi and
palmar erythema. Striae gravidarum ('stretch marks') are common.
◉ Musculoskeletal changes in pregnancy.
Answer: Increased ligamental laxity caused by increased levels of
relaxin contribute to back pain and pubic symphysis dysfunction.
Shift in posture with exaggerated lumbar lordosis leading to the
typical gait of late pregnancy.
◉ Uterine changes in pregnancy.
Answer: Increased to about 5x its normal size(h: 30cm, w: 23cm, d:
20cm) primarily because of progesterone
◉ Vaginal changes in pregnancy.
Answer: Becomes more elastic towards the end of pregnancy. These
changes enable it to dilate during the second stage of labour, as the
baby passes down the birth canal.
, ◉ Cervical changes in pregnancy.
Answer: Remains 2.5 cm long throughout pregnancy. In late
pregnancy, softening of the cervix occurs in response to increasing
painless contractions of its muscular walls.
◉ Amniocentesis.
Answer: A technique of prenatal diagnosis in which amniotic fluid,
obtained by aspiration from a needle inserted into the uterus, is
analyzed to detect certain genetic and congenital defects in the fetus.
◉ Is weight monitored in pregnancy.
Answer: Normally no
◉ Primagravida.
Answer: A person who is pregnant for the first time
◉ Normal Weight Gain in Pregnancy.
Answer: ~2.0kg in first 20 weeks, then ~0.5kg per week until term
at 40 weeks. Total of ~9-12
◉ TORCH Infections.
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FULL
SOLUTION
◉ Respiratory changes in pregnancy.
Answer: Tidal volume increases (increasing vital capacity and
decreasing residual volume), increased oxygen consumption,
possible SOB
◉ GI system changes in pregnancy.
Answer: N&V, appetite increases, heartburn, constipation,
gallbladder may dilate and empty less completely
◉ Urinary changes in pregnancy.
Answer: Renal blood flow increases. Possible glycosuria/proteinuria.
Water retention increases. Residual urine increases. Risk for UTIs
increases
◉ Haematological changes in pregnancy.
Answer: Plasma volume increases. RBCs increase. Demand for iron
increases. Clotting factors/fibrinogen increase. Serum albumin
decreases.
,◉ Metabolic changes in pregnancy.
Answer: Basal metabolic rate increases slowly. Active energy
expenditure falls. Weight gain (normal 11.4-15.9kg).
◉ Skin changes in pregnancy.
Answer: Hyperpigmentation of the umbilicus, nipples, abdominal
midline (linea nigra) and face (melasma (chloasma)) are common
due to the hormonal changes of pregnancy. Hyperdynamic
circulation and high levels of estrogen may cause spider naevi and
palmar erythema. Striae gravidarum ('stretch marks') are common.
◉ Musculoskeletal changes in pregnancy.
Answer: Increased ligamental laxity caused by increased levels of
relaxin contribute to back pain and pubic symphysis dysfunction.
Shift in posture with exaggerated lumbar lordosis leading to the
typical gait of late pregnancy.
◉ Uterine changes in pregnancy.
Answer: Increased to about 5x its normal size(h: 30cm, w: 23cm, d:
20cm) primarily because of progesterone
◉ Vaginal changes in pregnancy.
Answer: Becomes more elastic towards the end of pregnancy. These
changes enable it to dilate during the second stage of labour, as the
baby passes down the birth canal.
, ◉ Cervical changes in pregnancy.
Answer: Remains 2.5 cm long throughout pregnancy. In late
pregnancy, softening of the cervix occurs in response to increasing
painless contractions of its muscular walls.
◉ Amniocentesis.
Answer: A technique of prenatal diagnosis in which amniotic fluid,
obtained by aspiration from a needle inserted into the uterus, is
analyzed to detect certain genetic and congenital defects in the fetus.
◉ Is weight monitored in pregnancy.
Answer: Normally no
◉ Primagravida.
Answer: A person who is pregnant for the first time
◉ Normal Weight Gain in Pregnancy.
Answer: ~2.0kg in first 20 weeks, then ~0.5kg per week until term
at 40 weeks. Total of ~9-12
◉ TORCH Infections.
