Maternal-Newborn Nursing Concepts & Practice Review

Vocabulary practice cards highlighting key maternal-newborn concepts, high-risk obstetrics, pharmacotherapy, and neonatal pathophysiology derived from assessment questions.

RhoGAM

An immune globulin administered to an Rh-negative pregnant client with an Rh-positive partner at 28 weeks' gestation and within 72 hours after delivery to prevent Rh isoimmunization.

Calcium gluconate

The specific reversal agent and antidote kept readily available at the bedside for a client receiving magnesium sulfate therapy to treat severe preeclampsia.

Inevitable abortion

A spontaneous pregnancy loss characterized by vaginal bleeding, strong abdominal cramping, possible rupture of membranes, and cervical dilation.

HELLP syndrome

A severe multisystem obstetric complication characterized by hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count.

Post-term pregnancy

A pregnancy extending beyond 42 weeks' gestation, which significantly increases the risk of neonatal meconium aspiration during labor.

Magnesium sulfate toxicity

A critical adverse drug event indicated by diminished or absent deep tendon reflexes, requiring immediate nursing intervention and cessation of the infusion.

Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) eligibility

A clinical trial of labor after cesarean birth where the best candidate is a client with a history of a previous cesarean delivery via a low transverse incision.

Cervical ripening

The structural softening and favorable realignment of the cervix prior to labor induction, indicated on physical exam by an anterior cervical position.

Eclamptic seizure management

The immediate emergency protocol for a woman with preeclampsia experiencing a seizure, where maintaining airway and oxygenation is the first priority.

Macrosomia

Excessive neonatal fetal growth and birth weight, commonly caused by poorly controlled maternal diabetes during gestation.

First-trimester glycosylated hemoglobin elevation

A maternal HbA1c level of $13\%$ noted at 10 weeks' gestation, which places the developing embryo at the greatest risk for congenital anomalies.

Group B streptococcus (GBS) screening

A routine antepartum screening swab obtained from pregnant clients at 36 weeks' gestation to assess for maternal colonization.

Placental abruption (Abruptio placentae)

The premature detachment of the placenta from the uterine wall before delivery, strongly associated with gestational hypertension.

Hypotonic uterine dysfunction

Ineffective, weak uterine contractions during labor occurring without cephalopelvic disproportion, typically treated by administering oxytocin.

Prolonged premature rupture of membranes (PPROM)

Rupture of the amniotic sac prior to the onset of labor exceeding the safe latent period, posing a high risk of infection for both the mother and the newborn.

Maternal HIV prophylaxis

The prescribed use of antepartum antiretroviral medications to significantly reduce the risk of vertical transmission to the developing fetus.

Nifedipine

A tocolytic medication that suppresses preterm labor contractions specifically by blocking calcium movement into uterine smooth muscle cells.

Labor augmentation

The therapeutic intervention of administering oxytocin to stimulate and enhance uterine contractions when spontaneous labor progress has stalled.

Large for gestational age (LGA)

A newborn size classification describing birth weight above standard percentiles, with maternal diabetes being a primary contributing risk factor.

Cephalohematoma

A localized subperiosteal collection of blood over an infant's cranial bone that does not cross suture lines, frequently seen following vacuum extraction delivery.

Shoulder dystocia management

An intrapartum obstetric emergency protocol whose primary interventions focus directly on manipulating the passenger to free the impacted anterior shoulder.

Variable deceleration

A non-reassuring fetal heart rate pattern exhibiting abrupt decreases and returns, whose primary underlying etiology is umbilical cord compression.

Prolapsed umbilical cord

An acute obstetric emergency requiring the immediate priority action of inserting a sterile gloved hand into the vagina to manually relieve fetal pressure off the cord.

Phototherapy eye protection

The essential nursing practice of placing opaque eye coverings over a jaundiced infant's eyes while under bililights to shield the retinas from light-induced damage.

Neonatal sepsis

A severe systemic infection in a newborn that commonly manifests as temperature instability rather than a classic febrile response.

Pathologic jaundice

Hyperbilirubinemia that manifests within the first 24 hours of birth, differentiating it from benign physiologic jaundice.

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)

A pulmonary disorder predominantly occurring in preterm and late preterm neonates caused by a primary deficiency of surfactant.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)

An acute inflammatory ischemic bowel disease affecting preterm neonates, classically presenting with abdominal distension and feed intolerance.

Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS)

Respiratory distress resulting from the inhalation of meconium-stained amniotic fluid, identifying impaired gas exchange as the priority clinical diagnosis.

Rh sensitization

The immunological process wherein maternal anti-Rh antibodies develop only after maternal exposure to foreign Rh-positive fetal red cell antigens.

Neonatal opiate withdrawal

A neonatal abstinence syndrome resulting from in-utero opioid exposure, clinically characterized by marked neurological signs such as a high-pitched cry.

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

A congenital disorder stemming from gestational alcohol consumption, commonly leading to hyperactivity, speech disorders, and cognitive deficits.

Hypospadias

A congenital genitourinary anomaly in male newborns where the urethral meatus is abnormally positioned on the ventral (underside) surface of the penis.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)

A chronic pulmonary disorder affecting premature infants that often necessitates extended, long-term respiratory support.

Environmental stimulus reduction

A primary nursing intervention for caring for drug-exposed newborns that aims to minimize environmental light and sound to reduce autonomic hyperactivity.

LGA hypoglycemia prevention

The priority nursing protocol of administering early and frequent enteral feedings to prevent rapid drops in plasma glucose in large for gestational age newborns.

Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN)

A self-limiting condition often seen post-cesarean delivery presenting with delayed fetal lung fluid clearance, tachypnea ($\text{respiratory rate } > 60$), grunting, nasal flaring, and mild cyanosis.

Tetralogy of Fallot

A congenital cardiac defect presenting with cyanotic heart lesions that lead to decreased pulmonary blood flow.

Meningocele

A type of spina bifida neural tube defect where only the meninges and cerebrospinal fluid protrude through a spinal column defect, without herniation of neural tissue.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)

An abnormal vascular proliferation in the premature retina that warrants scheduled, routine follow-up examinations with a pediatric ophthalmologist.

Gestational trophoblastic disease follow-up

The post-evacuation protocol for hydatidiform molar pregnancy requiring the client to avoid becoming pregnant for at least 1 year to permit serial hCG monitoring.

Ectopic pregnancy risk factors

Antecedent maternal conditions that impede tubal transport of the blastocyst, most notably a past medical history of recurrent pelvic infections.

Gavage feeding in TTN

The administration of enteral nutrition via tube feeds indicated for tachypneic infants in order to conserve metabolic energy and reduce oxygen demands.

Periventricular hemorrhage (PVH)

An intracranial bleed within the germinal matrix of preterm infants that carries potential long-term risks of future neurodevelopmental and learning deficits.

Low birth weight (LBW)

A birth weight classification identifying any newborn weighing less than $2{,}500\text{ g}$ (such as $5.2\text{ lb}$ or $2{,}358\text{ g}$) regardless of gestational age.

Hydramnios assessment findings

Signs of excessive amniotic fluid that include maternal diabetes, maternal shortness of breath, and difficulty auscultating fetal heart tones or palpating fetal parts.

Preeclampsia warning signs

Severe progressive symptoms including right upper quadrant pain, infrequent urination, visual changes, and decreased fetal movement requiring immediate provider evaluation.

Hands and knees position

A maternal positioning technique utilized during labor to relieve intense back pain and promote spontaneous rotation of a fetus in the occiput posterior position.

Toxoplasmosis prevention

A primary maternal education measure aimed at preventing TORCH infection by avoiding the consumption of undercooked or raw meat during pregnancy.

Betamethasone

An antenatal corticosteroid administered to a woman experiencing preterm labor (e.g., at 32 weeks' gestation) to stimulate surfactant production and hasten fetal lung maturity.

Tracheoesophageal fistula

A congenital malformation connecting the trachea and esophagus, characterized clinically by choking, coughing, and cyanosis upon feeding.

Vaginal exam contraindication in placenta previa

A cardinal obstetric rule stipulating that digital vaginal examinations are strictly contraindicated in the presence of unexplained, painless bright red vaginal bleeding.

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV)

A vertical intrauterine viral infection presenting in the newborn with microcephaly, petechiae, jaundice, and sensorineural hearing impairment.