Maternity Nursing: Pregnancy and childbirth Qs & As
What is included in the family history? Correct Ans-health status of the father of the baby
and any close relatives of the woman and her partner, specifically if there is a history for
genetic diseases that would require testing or counseling. If you only history for cystic fibrosis
or hearing loss may require genetic testing.the ethnic background of the woman and relatives
of the fetus are important factors to consider as well. sickle cell anemia and thalassemia are
higher in African American, Indian and Middle Eastern descent. Tay Sachs disease is higher in
European Jews and French Canadians. Cystic fibrosis is higher in Caucasians.
what is included in the social history? Correct Ans-focuses on environmental factors that
may influence the pregnancy. these include things such as social support, housing in nutrition,
education, type of employment, presence of domestic violence or abuse, smoking, alcohol,
and illicit and over the counter drug use, and hobbies such as gardening or pet care (can
expose mother to toxoplasmosis, which can harm the fetus).
List the laboratory assessments done during pregnancy and their purpose Correct Ans-
CBC: indicates overall health status of the mother, including anemia which can suggest poor
nutritional status and a potentially poor pregnancy outcome.
HEMOGLOBIN ELECTROPHORESIS Test: done if the woman is at risk for sickle cell anemia or
thalassemia.
, Maternity Nursing: Pregnancy and childbirth Qs & As
Blood type and antibody screen: helps identify women who are at risk of developing antigen
incompatibility with fetal blood cells.
Screens for infection: hep B, HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia
Rubella Titer: determines mother's immunity to rubella. The rubella immunization cannot be
given during pregnancy.
Pap Smear: checks for cervical CA
Urine Culture: screens for bacteria in the urine which can lead to UTI and premature labor
what is the most common way to calculate the estimated due date , and how is it done?
Correct Ans-Nagele's Rule: add 7 days to the date of the first day of the last menstrual
period. Then subtract 3 months.
what are some "rule of thumb" measurements to estimate how far along in pregnancy is
during uterine palpation? Correct Ans-Small pear = 7 weeks
Orange = 10 weeks
Grapefruit = 12 weeks
Between weeks 18 & 32, the fundal height in centimeters should match the number of weeks
the pregnancy has progressed
, Maternity Nursing: Pregnancy and childbirth Qs & As
What is included in the pregnancy risk assessment? Correct Ans-Takes into account all
information gathered during hx, physical exam and lab tests. factors that can increase the risk
during pregnancy include negative attitude of the mother towards pregnancy, seeking
prenatal care late in the pregnancy, substance abuse, a history of complications with previous
pregnancies for poor outcomes, the presence of maternal disease, inadequate living
conditions, domestic violence or physical abuse, under-education about the effects of tobacco
and alcohol and the benefits of folic acid, age (young teens and women over thirty five are at
higher risk), and whether or not the pregnancy was planned
how frequently does a practitioner see a pregnant woman for prenatal visits? Correct Ans-
once monthly from weeks 1 thru 32; between weeks 32 and 36 biweekly; week 36 until
delivery the woman is seen weekly.
what assessments are included in a standard prenatal visit? Correct Ans-weight, blood
pressure, urine protein and glucose, and fetal heart rate. Also inquire regarding the danger
signals of pregnancy, fetal movement, contractions, bleeding, and membrane rupture.
what factors could cause the fundal height to measure larger than expected? Correct Ans-
among other things cause can be the original dates were miscalculated, the woman is carrying
twins, or there is a molar pregnancy.
What is included in the family history? Correct Ans-health status of the father of the baby
and any close relatives of the woman and her partner, specifically if there is a history for
genetic diseases that would require testing or counseling. If you only history for cystic fibrosis
or hearing loss may require genetic testing.the ethnic background of the woman and relatives
of the fetus are important factors to consider as well. sickle cell anemia and thalassemia are
higher in African American, Indian and Middle Eastern descent. Tay Sachs disease is higher in
European Jews and French Canadians. Cystic fibrosis is higher in Caucasians.
what is included in the social history? Correct Ans-focuses on environmental factors that
may influence the pregnancy. these include things such as social support, housing in nutrition,
education, type of employment, presence of domestic violence or abuse, smoking, alcohol,
and illicit and over the counter drug use, and hobbies such as gardening or pet care (can
expose mother to toxoplasmosis, which can harm the fetus).
List the laboratory assessments done during pregnancy and their purpose Correct Ans-
CBC: indicates overall health status of the mother, including anemia which can suggest poor
nutritional status and a potentially poor pregnancy outcome.
HEMOGLOBIN ELECTROPHORESIS Test: done if the woman is at risk for sickle cell anemia or
thalassemia.
, Maternity Nursing: Pregnancy and childbirth Qs & As
Blood type and antibody screen: helps identify women who are at risk of developing antigen
incompatibility with fetal blood cells.
Screens for infection: hep B, HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia
Rubella Titer: determines mother's immunity to rubella. The rubella immunization cannot be
given during pregnancy.
Pap Smear: checks for cervical CA
Urine Culture: screens for bacteria in the urine which can lead to UTI and premature labor
what is the most common way to calculate the estimated due date , and how is it done?
Correct Ans-Nagele's Rule: add 7 days to the date of the first day of the last menstrual
period. Then subtract 3 months.
what are some "rule of thumb" measurements to estimate how far along in pregnancy is
during uterine palpation? Correct Ans-Small pear = 7 weeks
Orange = 10 weeks
Grapefruit = 12 weeks
Between weeks 18 & 32, the fundal height in centimeters should match the number of weeks
the pregnancy has progressed
, Maternity Nursing: Pregnancy and childbirth Qs & As
What is included in the pregnancy risk assessment? Correct Ans-Takes into account all
information gathered during hx, physical exam and lab tests. factors that can increase the risk
during pregnancy include negative attitude of the mother towards pregnancy, seeking
prenatal care late in the pregnancy, substance abuse, a history of complications with previous
pregnancies for poor outcomes, the presence of maternal disease, inadequate living
conditions, domestic violence or physical abuse, under-education about the effects of tobacco
and alcohol and the benefits of folic acid, age (young teens and women over thirty five are at
higher risk), and whether or not the pregnancy was planned
how frequently does a practitioner see a pregnant woman for prenatal visits? Correct Ans-
once monthly from weeks 1 thru 32; between weeks 32 and 36 biweekly; week 36 until
delivery the woman is seen weekly.
what assessments are included in a standard prenatal visit? Correct Ans-weight, blood
pressure, urine protein and glucose, and fetal heart rate. Also inquire regarding the danger
signals of pregnancy, fetal movement, contractions, bleeding, and membrane rupture.
what factors could cause the fundal height to measure larger than expected? Correct Ans-
among other things cause can be the original dates were miscalculated, the woman is carrying
twins, or there is a molar pregnancy.
