BSNC 5000 OB Final Questions and Answers with Verified
Solutions | Latest Update
QUESTION
Describe the psychosocial adaptation to pregnancy for mother, partner, sibling(s) and other
caregivers
Answer:
with the mother/father role ’ reordering personal relationships ’ establishing a relationship with
the fetus ’ preparing for childbirth Sibling adaptation: concerns about losing their place in the
family hierarchy Other caregivers: grandparents can act as a family historian, experienced
caregivers can act as resource persons who share knowledge, any caregivers can provide support
to strengthen the family system and widen the circle of nurturance
QUESTION
Describe the stages of a healthy pregnancy and normal growth and development.
Answer:
Ovum/pre-embryonic: conception until day 14
- Covers cellular replication, blastocyst formation, initial development of the embryonic
membranes, and establishment of the primary germ layer
Embryo: day 15 until 8 weeks after conception
- Most critical time in the development of the organ systems and the main external features.
Developing areas with rapid cell division are the most vulnerable areas to malformation caused
by environmental teratogens Membranes, amniotic fluid, yolk sac, umbilical cord, placenta
Fetus: 9 weeks until pregnancy ends
- Refinement of structure until fetus reaches viability
QUESTION
Teratogens
Answer:
Something that is going to affect the anatomical or the physiological development of the embryo
during the embryonic stage and/or the fetus during the fetal stage
It can cause the termination of the pregnancy before it even happens (depends on type of
teratogen and severity of exposure, typically occurs during early days of pregnancy) Examples:
alcohol and tobacco products; environmental toxins, chemicals, radiation; some prescription
medications; maternal medical conditions; infections (TORCH)
,QUESTION
Causes of developmental malformations
Answer:
20-25%: genetic anomalies
5%: environmental factors (intrauterine infections, maternal metabolic disorders, environmental
chemicals, drugs, medications, radiation, etc.)
65-75%: multifactorial or unknown (ex. genetic + environmental)
QUESTION
When is exposure to teratogens most severe
Answer:
week 5 (embryonic period, weeks 3 to 8) as this is when all organ systems are being laid down
prior to embryonic period, there are no organ systems developing yet (just cellular division), so
there are no structural defects (however exposure can prevent implantation to uterine wall)
QUESTION
List TORCH infections
Answer:
Toxoplasmosis Other symptoms such as syphilis, parvovirus, and Hep B Rubella
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
QUESTION
Modes of transmission of TORCH infections
Answer:
VERTICAL TRANSMISSION (mother to baby in utero):
- transplacental transmission (maternal circulation --> placenta --> fetal blood supply) (all except
Hep B)
- contact with cervical or vaginal secretion during birthing process (syphilis, CMV, HSV, Hep B)
- By breastmilk in premature and IUGR infants (CMV) - During c-section where child is exposed
to blood
QUESTION
Toxoplasmosis
Answer:
a parasite acquired through undercooked meat or spores from cat litter
treatment helps prevent passage through placenta, reducing rate of infection by up to 60%
Often causes hearing loss
, QUESTION
Syphilis
Answer:
bacterium
can cause hydrops fetalis
if mom is not treated: still birth 25%, neonatal death 14%, congenital syphilis 41%
if syphilis during pregnancy is untreated, 70-100% of neonates born will have symptomatic
congenital syphilis (hydropic and anemia with enlarged liver and spleen), with fetal demise
occuring in 40% of these pregnancies
QUESTION
Parvovirus B19
Answer:
Virus
vertical transmission rate of 25-50%
Can cause hydrops fetalis, 13% spontaneous loss before 20 weeks gestation
transplacental transmission is approximately 30% and fetal death occurs in about 9% of those
affected
QUESTION
Hepatitis B
Answer:
Virus
Too large to cross placenta, infection occurs via microtransfusion during labour, SVD or
C-section (contact with infectious secretions), 70-90% of time
Often no congenital effects on fetus... if fetus is exposed, shots are given to prevent infection
QUESTION
Rubella
Answer:
Virus
unvaccinated mother/mother with low antibody titre
first trimester infections cause congenital rubella syndrome in up to 85% of neonates (heart
defects, hearing loss, cataracts, developmental delays) --> non reversable
the risk for congenital abnormalities varies with the fetus's gestational age at the time maternal
infection occurs, ranging from diabetes mellitus, hearing loss, miscarriage, or stillbirth
Solutions | Latest Update
QUESTION
Describe the psychosocial adaptation to pregnancy for mother, partner, sibling(s) and other
caregivers
Answer:
with the mother/father role ’ reordering personal relationships ’ establishing a relationship with
the fetus ’ preparing for childbirth Sibling adaptation: concerns about losing their place in the
family hierarchy Other caregivers: grandparents can act as a family historian, experienced
caregivers can act as resource persons who share knowledge, any caregivers can provide support
to strengthen the family system and widen the circle of nurturance
QUESTION
Describe the stages of a healthy pregnancy and normal growth and development.
Answer:
Ovum/pre-embryonic: conception until day 14
- Covers cellular replication, blastocyst formation, initial development of the embryonic
membranes, and establishment of the primary germ layer
Embryo: day 15 until 8 weeks after conception
- Most critical time in the development of the organ systems and the main external features.
Developing areas with rapid cell division are the most vulnerable areas to malformation caused
by environmental teratogens Membranes, amniotic fluid, yolk sac, umbilical cord, placenta
Fetus: 9 weeks until pregnancy ends
- Refinement of structure until fetus reaches viability
QUESTION
Teratogens
Answer:
Something that is going to affect the anatomical or the physiological development of the embryo
during the embryonic stage and/or the fetus during the fetal stage
It can cause the termination of the pregnancy before it even happens (depends on type of
teratogen and severity of exposure, typically occurs during early days of pregnancy) Examples:
alcohol and tobacco products; environmental toxins, chemicals, radiation; some prescription
medications; maternal medical conditions; infections (TORCH)
,QUESTION
Causes of developmental malformations
Answer:
20-25%: genetic anomalies
5%: environmental factors (intrauterine infections, maternal metabolic disorders, environmental
chemicals, drugs, medications, radiation, etc.)
65-75%: multifactorial or unknown (ex. genetic + environmental)
QUESTION
When is exposure to teratogens most severe
Answer:
week 5 (embryonic period, weeks 3 to 8) as this is when all organ systems are being laid down
prior to embryonic period, there are no organ systems developing yet (just cellular division), so
there are no structural defects (however exposure can prevent implantation to uterine wall)
QUESTION
List TORCH infections
Answer:
Toxoplasmosis Other symptoms such as syphilis, parvovirus, and Hep B Rubella
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
QUESTION
Modes of transmission of TORCH infections
Answer:
VERTICAL TRANSMISSION (mother to baby in utero):
- transplacental transmission (maternal circulation --> placenta --> fetal blood supply) (all except
Hep B)
- contact with cervical or vaginal secretion during birthing process (syphilis, CMV, HSV, Hep B)
- By breastmilk in premature and IUGR infants (CMV) - During c-section where child is exposed
to blood
QUESTION
Toxoplasmosis
Answer:
a parasite acquired through undercooked meat or spores from cat litter
treatment helps prevent passage through placenta, reducing rate of infection by up to 60%
Often causes hearing loss
, QUESTION
Syphilis
Answer:
bacterium
can cause hydrops fetalis
if mom is not treated: still birth 25%, neonatal death 14%, congenital syphilis 41%
if syphilis during pregnancy is untreated, 70-100% of neonates born will have symptomatic
congenital syphilis (hydropic and anemia with enlarged liver and spleen), with fetal demise
occuring in 40% of these pregnancies
QUESTION
Parvovirus B19
Answer:
Virus
vertical transmission rate of 25-50%
Can cause hydrops fetalis, 13% spontaneous loss before 20 weeks gestation
transplacental transmission is approximately 30% and fetal death occurs in about 9% of those
affected
QUESTION
Hepatitis B
Answer:
Virus
Too large to cross placenta, infection occurs via microtransfusion during labour, SVD or
C-section (contact with infectious secretions), 70-90% of time
Often no congenital effects on fetus... if fetus is exposed, shots are given to prevent infection
QUESTION
Rubella
Answer:
Virus
unvaccinated mother/mother with low antibody titre
first trimester infections cause congenital rubella syndrome in up to 85% of neonates (heart
defects, hearing loss, cataracts, developmental delays) --> non reversable
the risk for congenital abnormalities varies with the fetus's gestational age at the time maternal
infection occurs, ranging from diabetes mellitus, hearing loss, miscarriage, or stillbirth
