Maternal and Child Nursing PNLE Board Exam Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering key topics, medical terms, diagnostics, and nursing concepts from the PNLE Maternal and Child Nursing lecture notes.

KAPMANS

A test-taking mnemonic standing for Keywords, Assessment > implementation, Physical > psychosocial, Maslow's hierarchy of needs, ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation), Need to evaluate your answer FIRST, and Safety of your patient & SMART.

Skene's Gland

Paraurethral gland located below the urethra that secretes a lubricating substance during sexual intercourse; homologous to the male prostate gland.

Bartholin's Gland

Paravaginal gland located below the vagina that maintains the alkalization of sperm to survive the acidic vaginal environment; homologous to the male Cowper's gland.

Estrogen

Primary female hormone responsible for secondary sexual characteristics during adolescence ($12$–$18\text{ years old}$) and body growth spurts; acts to inhibit FSH.

Progesterone

Hormone of pregnancy/mother whose primary function is to thicken the uterine endometrium, inhibit LH, and inhibit uterine contractions.

Thelarche

The first sign of female secondary sexual characteristics during adolescence, characterized by an increase in the size of the breasts.

Adrenarche

The third sign of female secondary sexual characteristics during adolescence, characterized by the appearance of axillary and pubic hair.

Menarche

The fourth sign of female secondary sexual characteristics, referring to the first menstruation, occurring at an average age of $11$–$14\text{ years old}$.

Cervical Mucous Method

A natural family planning method (also known as Billing's method or Spinbarkeit method) identified by clear, slippery, stretchable egg-white mucus indicating fertility.

Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Method

A family planning method based on a temperature increase sustained for $3\text{ days}$ after ovulation due to the thermogenic effect of progesterone.

Follicular Phase

Phase of the ovarian menstrual cycle involving the Graafian follicle, Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and high levels of estrogen.

Luteal Phase

Phase of the ovarian menstrual cycle involving the Corpus Luteum, Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and high levels of progesterone.

Dysmenorrhea

Painful menstruation, which can be managed by offering warm foods and drinks to dilate blood vessels.

Amenorrhea

The medical term for the absence of menstruation.

Menopause

The permanent cessation/stopping of menstruation, occurring at an average age of $50$ or $51\text{ years old}$.

Metrorrhagia

Bleeding or spotting occurring in between normal menstrual cycles.

Menorrhagia

Excessive or prolonged bleeding during menstruation.

Refractory Period

The resting phase during sexual resolution in which males cannot be restimulated for the next $15$–$30\text{ minutes}$.

Isthmus

The most proximal site of the fallopian tube closest to the uterus with a diameter of $1\text{ mm}$; serves as the site of sterilization (bilateral tubal ligation) and is the most dangerous site for ectopic pregnancy.

Ampulla

The outer third or second half of the fallopian tube; functions as the primary site of fertilization (union of sperm and egg) and is the most common site of ectopic pregnancy.

Infundibulum

The most distal part of the fallopian tube located closest to the ovaries.

Zygote

The first human cell formed upon fertilization, covering the period from fertilization up to $2\text{ weeks}$.

Embryo

The stage of prenatal development from $2\text{ weeks}$ ($8\text{th day}$) to the $8\text{th week}$, which is highly sensitive due to organogenesis.

Fetus

The stage of human development spanning from the $8\text{th week}$ of gestation until term ($37$–$42\text{ weeks}$).

Mesoderm

The middle germ layer that gives rise to the heart, ears, musculoskeletal system, kidneys, and reproductive system (penis).

Endoderm

The inner germ layer that gives rise to the thyroid, thymus, GI and respiratory tracts, liver, and tonsils.

Ectoderm

The outer germ layer that gives rise to external body structures including skin, nails, and hair.

Quickening

Fetal movements ("fetal kick") felt by the mother, occurring at $18$–$20\text{ weeks}$ in primigravida and $16$–$18\text{ weeks}$ in multigravida.

Cryptorchidism

Failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum by the $7\text{th week}$, requiring surgical repair via orchidopexy.

Oligohydramnios

Amniotic fluid volume below $500\text{ cc}$, which may indicate fetal kidney malformations.

Polyhydramnios

Amniotic fluid volume exceeding $1500\text{ cc}$, associated with fetal tracheoesophageal atresia or fistula.

Amniocentesis

A diagnostic aspiration of amniotic fluid from the amniotic sac performed around $16$–$18\text{ weeks}$; requires an empty bladder prior to the procedure for safety.

L:S Ratio (Lecithin to Sphingomyelin)

A diagnostic ratio from amniocentesis that evaluates fetal lung maturity; a $2:1$ ratio indicates mature alveoli/lungs, whereas a $1:2$ ratio indicates immature lungs leading to Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS).

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)

Maternal serum screening where abnormally low levels indicate Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) and elevated levels indicate neural tube defects (spina bifida).

Ductus Venosus

Fetal circulatory shunt that bypasses the liver to carry oxygenated blood from the umbilical vein toward the inferior vena cava.

Ductus Arteriosus

Fetal vascular shunt connecting the pulmonary artery directly to the aorta.

Foramen Ovale

An anatomical opening between the right atrium and left atrium in the fetal heart that closes immediately at birth.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)

Placental hormone that peaks at $8\text{ weeks}$ of pregnancy and decreases by $12\text{ weeks}$; responsible for positive pregnancy tests and morning sickness.

Human Placental Lactogen (HPL)

Also known as somatotropin; functions as an insulin antagonist to raise maternal blood glucose levels to supply energy to the fetus.

Presumptive Signs of Pregnancy

Subjective/covert symptoms reported by the woman, including breast changes, amenorrhea, nausea and vomiting, quickening, urinary frequency, and skin changes.

Probable Signs of Pregnancy

Objective/overt signs observed by an examiner, such as Chadwick's sign, Goodell's sign, Hegar's sign, ballottement, Braxton Hicks contractions, and positive pregnancy tests.

Positive Signs of Pregnancy

Conclusive diagnostic evidence of pregnancy, including ultrasound visualization, audible fetal heart rate ($120$–$160\text{ bpm}$), and palpable fetal outline.

Chadwick's Sign

A probable sign of pregnancy characterized by a bluish or purplish discoloration of the vagina and cervix.

Goodell's Sign

A probable sign of pregnancy characterized by the softening of the cervix.

Hegar's Sign

A probable sign of pregnancy characterized by the softening of the lower uterine segment.

Braxton Hicks Contractions

Painless, irregular contractions occurring throughout pregnancy, classified as a probable (false) sign of labor.

PICA

Craving and compulsive eating of non-food substances during pregnancy ("paglilihi").

Ptyalism

Excessive salivation during pregnancy, managed by offering bubblegum or mouthwash.

Chloasma

Dark pigmentation of the face during pregnancy, also referred to as melasma or the "mask of pregnancy".

Colostrum

Pre-milk fluid secreted by the breasts starting around the $16\text{th week}$ of pregnancy, rich in IgA antibodies.

Linea Nigra

A hyperpigmented vertical line appearing on the abdomen during pregnancy due to increased melanocytes.

Striae Gravidarum

Stretch marks appearing on the maternal abdomen caused by rapid abdominal enlargement.

Lordosis

Inward curvature of the lumbar spine during pregnancy ("pride of pregnancy") caused by the hormone relaxin; managed with pelvic rocking exercises.

Pseudo Anemia

Physiological drop in Hgb and Hct percentages in pregnancy resulting from a larger expansion of plasma volume relative to red blood cells.

Lightening

Descent of the fetal presenting part into the pelvis late in pregnancy (baby drop); relieves dyspnea but increases urinary frequency.

Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (PIH)

Also called toxemia; occurs after the $20\text{th week}$ of pregnancy and is characterized by proteinuria, upper extremity edema, and blood pressure $\text{BP} \neq 140/90\text{ mmHg}$ or higher.

McDonald's Rule

Formula to estimate gestational age: length of the fundus in centimeters $\times \frac{8}{7}$ gives gestational weeks, or $\times \frac{2}{7}$ gives gestational months.

Haase's Rule

Rule used to estimate fetal length in centimeters: $\text{month}^2$ for months 1 to 5, and $\text{month} \times 5$ for months 6 to 10.

Station

The relationship of the fetal presenting part to the maternal ischial spines: floating ($-4$ to $-1$), engagement ($0$), and crowning ($+1$ to $+4$).

Effacement

The progressive thinning and shortening of the cervix during labor, expressed as a percentage ($\%$).

Dilation

The progressive widening of the cervical opening during labor, measured from $0$ to $10\text{ cm}$.

Latent Phase

First phase of the first stage of labor featuring $0$–$3\text{ cm}$ dilation, contractions lasting $20$–$40\text{ seconds}$ every $5$–$10\text{ minutes}$, and mild intensity.

Active Phase

Second phase of the first stage of labor featuring $4$–$7\text{ cm}$ dilation, contractions lasting $40$–$60\text{ seconds}$ every $3$–$5\text{ minutes}$, and moderate intensity.

Transition Phase

Final phase of the first stage of labor featuring $8$–$10\text{ cm}$ dilation, contractions lasting $60$–$90\text{ seconds}$ every $2$–$3\text{ minutes}$, and severe intensity.

Tocolytics

Medications used to suppress premature labor contractions (mnemonic: Indomethacin, Nifedipine, Magnesium sulfate, Terbutaline, Yutopar).

Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO4)

Anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant used in labor/preeclampsia; toxicity presents with absent patellar reflexes and is treated with calcium gluconate.

Precipitate Labor

Labor and delivery process that progresses abnormally rapidly and concludes in less than $3\text{ hours}$.

Ritgen's Maneuver

An obstetric technique used to control and facilitate the gentle expulsion of the fetal head during delivery.

Duncan Placenta

Placental separation presentation that is dull, red, and dirty-looking, separating from the edge ("dirty Duncan").

Schultze Placenta

Placental separation presentation that is smooth and shiny, separating from the center ("shiny Schultze").

Brandt-Andrew's Maneuver

A clinical maneuver performed to facilitate the gentle expulsion of the separated placenta.

Involution

The normal process over $6\text{ weeks}$ postpartum in which maternal reproductive organs return to their non-pregnant state.

Subinvolution

Failure of the postpartum uterus to return to its normal pre-pregnant size and state.

Episiotomy

A surgical incision of the perineum performed by a physician to enlarge the vaginal opening during delivery (median or mediolateral).

Hydatidiform Mole (H-mole)

A trophoblastic disorder characterized by grape-like tissue clusters, elevated HCG levels, severe hyperemesis gravidarum, absence of fetal heart tones, and treated with methotrexate.

Incompetent Cervix

Premature, painless dilation of the cervix treated surgically with McDonald's or Shirodkar's cerclage sutures to prevent mid-trimester loss.

Placenta Previa

Abnormal implantation of the placenta in the lower uterine segment near or covering the cervix, presenting with painless, bright red vaginal bleeding in the third trimester.

Abruptio Placenta

Premature separation of a normally implanted placenta from the uterine wall, presenting with painful, dark red bleeding and a board-like abdomen.