Inpatient Obstetric Nurse Flashcards

The fetus is at risk when a pregnant woman has organic mercury poisoning (methyl mercury) yet shows little symptoms.

Answer: High risk of impairment

When a pregnant woman has organic mercury poisoning (methylmercury), even with minimal maternal symptoms, the fetus is at a high risk of impairment. Methylmercury readily crosses the placenta and accumulates in the developing fetal brain, where it can cause severe and irreversible neurodevelopmental damage. The fetal nervous system is significantly more vulnerable to its toxic effects than the mother's.

What treatment is recommended for a pregnant Graves' disease patient?

Answer: Propylthiouracil

Propylthiouracil (PTU) is the recommended treatment for a pregnant Graves' disease patient, especially during the first trimester. Unlike methimazole, which carries a higher risk of congenital anomalies in early pregnancy, PTU has a lower teratogenic risk. While PTU has a rare risk of hepatotoxicity, its safety profile in early gestation makes it the preferred antithyroid medication.

The condition known as fetal scalp edema, which develops when the skull presses against the cervix, is

Answer: Caput succedaneum

Caput succedaneum is the condition known as fetal scalp edema that develops when the skull presses against the cervix during labor. This pressure impedes venous and lymphatic return from the presenting part of the head, causing swelling and edema of the scalp. Unlike a cephalohematoma, caput succedaneum crosses suture lines and typically resolves within a few days after birth.

How many weeks do post-term pregnancy last?

Answer: 42

A post-term pregnancy is defined as one that lasts beyond 42 completed weeks of gestation. While a full-term pregnancy typically ranges from 37 to 40 weeks, pregnancies extending past 42 weeks carry increased risks for both the mother and the fetus, such as placental insufficiency and fetal macrosomia, necessitating careful monitoring and management.

The kind of human milk that gives a newborn passive immunity is

Answer: Colostrum

Colostrum is the specific type of human milk that provides a newborn with crucial passive immunity. Produced in the first few days after birth, colostrum is rich in antibodies, particularly secretory IgA, and other immune factors. These components help protect the infant from infections and diseases, effectively boosting their immature immune system during a vulnerable period.

The main danger of having a midline episiotomy is

Answer: Laceration

The main danger of having a midline episiotomy is an increased risk of severe laceration, specifically extending into a third or fourth-degree perineal tear. Because the incision is straight, it is more prone to uncontrolled tearing downwards, potentially involving the anal sphincter or rectal mucosa. Such extensive lacerations can lead to complications like fecal incontinence.

When hypertension without proteinuria appears after 20 weeks of pregnancy and continues for 6 weeks into the postpartum period, it is referred to as

Answer: Gestational hypertension

When hypertension without proteinuria appears after 20 weeks of pregnancy and resolves by 6 weeks postpartum, it is referred to as gestational hypertension. This diagnosis is distinct from preeclampsia, which includes proteinuria or other signs of end-organ damage, and chronic hypertension, which is present before pregnancy or persists beyond the postpartum period. It represents new-onset high blood pressure specific to pregnancy.