OB & Pediatric Nursing Vocabulary Review

Comprehensive set of key terms and abbreviations from obstetric, postpartum, neonatal, pharmacologic and pediatric cardiac lecture material to aid exam review.

TPAL

Obstetric shorthand: T = term births (≥37 wks), P = preterm births (20–36 wks), A = abortions (<20 wks), L = living children.

G P (Gravida Para)

Gravida = total number of pregnancies; Para = number of pregnancies carried ≥20 weeks, regardless of outcome.

LMP

Last Menstrual Period—the first day of the patient’s most recent menstrual flow.

EDC / EDD

Estimated Date of Confinement / Delivery—projected birth date, often calculated with Nägele’s rule.

Nägele’s Rule

EDD = LMP minus 3 months + 7 days (+1 yr if needed).

CKC (Cold-Knife Conization)

Surgical excision of a cone-shaped sample of cervical tissue with a scalpel.

LEEP

Loop Electrocautery Excision Procedure—removal of cervical tissue using a heated wire loop.

BTL

Bilateral Tubal Ligation—female sterilization by blocking or cutting both fallopian tubes.

D&C

Dilation and Curettage—cervical dilation followed by scraping of uterine lining.

POC

Products of Conception—all fetal and placental tissue expelled or removed from the uterus.

TVH

Total Vaginal Hysterectomy—uterus removed through the vagina.

TAH

Total Abdominal Hysterectomy—uterus removed through an abdominal incision.

LAVH

Laparoscopic-Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy—combines laparoscopy and vaginal removal of uterus.

TLH

Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy—uterus removed entirely through laparoscopic ports.

BSO

Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy—removal of both fallopian tubes and ovaries.

-ectomy

Suffix meaning surgical removal (e.g., hysterectomy).

-otomy

Suffix meaning surgical incision (e.g., episiotomy).

-ostomy

Suffix meaning creation of a new opening (e.g., colostomy).

-centesis

Suffix meaning puncture with a needle to aspirate fluid (e.g., amniocentesis).

-rrhagia

Suffix meaning excessive flow or bleeding (e.g., menorrhagia).

PROM

Premature Rupture of Membranes—bag of waters ruptures before onset of labor at ≥37 wks.

PPROM

Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes—membranes rupture before 37 wks and before labor.

SVD

Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery—unassisted vaginal birth.

LTCS

Low Transverse Cesarean Section—horizontal uterine incision in lower segment.

VBAC

Vaginal Birth After Cesarean—trial of labor after previous C-section.

VAVD

Vacuum-Assisted Vaginal Delivery—birth aided by suction cup on fetal scalp.

SAB

Spontaneous Abortion—miscarriage of a pregnancy before 20 weeks.

EAB / TAB

Elective (Therapeutic) Abortion—intentional termination of pregnancy.

IUFD

Intrauterine Fetal Demise—fetal death after 20 weeks’ gestation.

ASCUS

Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance—pap-smear finding needing follow-up.

Bubble-HEE

Post-partum head-to-toe mnemonic: Breasts, Uterus, Bowel, Bladder, Lochia, Episiotomy, Hemorrhoids, Extremities, Emotional status.

Lochia

Post-birth uterine discharge; progresses rubra → serosa → alba.

Lochia Rubra

Dark-red lochia, days 1-4 postpartum.

Lochia Serosa

Pink-brown lochia, approx. days 4-10 postpartum.

Lochia Alba

Whitish-yellow lochia, up to 4–6 weeks postpartum.

Fundal Height

Distance from symphysis pubis to uterine fundus in cm ≈ gestational weeks (20-36 wks).

Leopold Maneuvers

Four systematic abdominal palpations to determine fetal position and presentation.

Quickening

Maternal perception of first fetal movements (≈16-20 wks).

Goodell’s Sign

Softening of the cervix around 6 weeks gestation (probable pregnancy sign).

Chadwick’s Sign

Bluish coloration of cervix, vagina, vulva from vascular congestion (probable sign).

Hegar’s Sign

Softening of lower uterine segment (isthmus) at 6-8 wks.

Ballottement

Rebounding of the fetus when cervix is tapped (probable pregnancy sign).

Taking-In Phase

Early postpartum (first 1-2 days); mother focused on own needs and birth story.

Taking-Hold Phase

Postpartum days 2-10; mother assumes infant care, seeks learning, may doubt ability.

Letting-Go Phase

Weeks after birth; parents integrate infant into family and resume roles.

TORCH

Teratogenic infections screen—Toxoplasmosis, Other (syphilis, varicella), Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes.

Toxoplasmosis

Parasitic infection from under-cooked meat or cat feces; can cause fetal defects.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS)

Common maternal colonizing bacteria; intrapartum antibiotics prevent neonatal sepsis.

Kick Counts

Maternal record of ≥10 fetal movements within 2 hrs; fewer needs evaluation.

Rhogam

Rh-immune globulin given to Rh-negative mothers to prevent Rh sensitization.

Erythroblastosis Fetalis

Hemolytic disease of fetus/newborn from maternal Rh antibodies destroying fetal RBCs.

Nonstress Test (NST)

External fetal monitoring; reactive = ≥2 accelerations (15 × 15) in 20 min.

Contraction Stress Test (CST)

Evaluates FHR response to induced contractions; positive = late decels—uteroplacental insufficiency.

Biophysical Profile (BPP)

Ultrasound + NST scoring (0–10) of fetal breathing, movement, tone, fluid, reactivity.

Amniocentesis

Needle aspiration of amniotic fluid for genetics, maturity, infection; after 14 wks.

Chorionic Villus Sampling

Placental biopsy at 10-12 wks for chromosomal analysis; cannot detect NTDs.

Quad Screen

Maternal serum AFP, hCG, estriol, inhibin-A (15-20 wks) to screen for Down Syndrome & NTDs.

Placenta Previa

Placenta implants over cervical os; painless third-trimester bleeding.

Placental Abruption

Premature separation of placenta; painful bleeding, fetal distress; emergency.

Preeclampsia

Pregnancy-specific hypertension ≥140/90 with proteinuria after 20 wks.

Eclampsia

Preeclampsia complicated by seizures.

HELLP Syndrome

Severe preeclampsia variant: Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelets.

Magnesium Sulfate

IV CNS depressant for seizure prophylaxis in preeclampsia; watch for toxicity, antidote = calcium gluconate.

Terbutaline

Beta-agonist tocolytic that relaxes uterine muscle; watch for tachycardia.

Betamethasone

Antenatal corticosteroid (2 IM doses) to accelerate fetal lung maturity in preterm risk.

Dinoprostone (Cervidil)

Vaginal prostaglandin insert used for cervical ripening before induction.

Misoprostol (Cytotec)

Prostaglandin tablet used off-label for cervical ripening or postpartum hemorrhage.

Oxytocin (Pitocin)

Synthetic hormone for labor induction/augmentation & postpartum uterine contraction.

Shoulder Dystocia

Obstetric emergency: fetal shoulders trapped after head; use McRoberts maneuver & suprapubic pressure.

Bakri Balloon

Intrauterine tamponade catheter to control postpartum hemorrhage.

Methylergonovine (Methergine)

Ergot uterotonic for postpartum hemorrhage; contraindicated in hypertension.

Carboprost (Hemabate)

Prostaglandin F2-alpha uterotonic for refractory hemorrhage; causes diarrhea, fever.

Kernicterus

Chronic bilirubin encephalopathy from untreated neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Apgar Score

Newborn assessment at 1 & 5 min of Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration (0–10).

Phytonadione

Vitamin K injection to newborn to prevent hemorrhagic disease.

Erythromycin Ophthalmic Ointment

Prophylaxis against neonatal gonococcal/chlamydial conjunctivitis, placed in each eye.

Non-Shivering Thermogenesis

Infant heat production by brown-fat metabolism when cold-stressed.

Lanugo

Fine downy hair covering fetus/newborn, especially preterm.

Vernix Caseosa

Whitish, cheese-like protective skin coating on the fetus.

Anterior Fontanelle

Diamond-shaped soft spot at skull junctions, closes by 18 months.

Cephalopelvic Disproportion

Fetal head too large or maternal pelvis too small for vaginal birth.

Tetralogy of Fallot

Cyanotic congenital heart defect: VSD, Pulmonary stenosis, Overriding aorta, Right-ventricular hypertrophy.

Transposition of the Great Vessels

Aorta arises from right ventricle and pulmonary artery from left; two parallel circuits, cyanosis.

Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)

Persistent fetal channel between aorta & pulmonary artery; machinery murmur, may need indomethacin or closure.

Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)

Opening between ventricles causing left-to-right shunt; holosystolic murmur.

Coarctation of the Aorta

Narrowed aortic segment; ↑BP/ pulses upper body, ↓BP legs; treat with surgery or stent.

Iron-Deficiency Anemia

Microcytic anemia from inadequate iron; treat with 3–6 mg/kg/day elemental iron.

Laryngotracheobronchitis (Croup)

Viral upper-airway edema causing barking cough & inspiratory stridor.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Common pediatric virus causing bronchiolitis; can lead to severe respiratory distress in infants.

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)

Withdrawal symptoms in newborn exposed to opioids or other substances in utero.

Rotavirus

Leading viral cause of severe diarrhea in young children; prevented by oral vaccine.

Acrocyanosis

Bluish discoloration of newborn hands/feet; normal first 24–48 hrs.

PKU Screen

Guthrie test for phenylketonuria—done after protein feeding at ≥24 hrs of age.

Shoulder Dystocia "Turtle Sign"

Retracting fetal head against perineum indicating impacted anterior shoulder.

Uterine Atony

Loss of uterine muscle tone leading to postpartum hemorrhage; treat with fundal massage & uterotonics.

Polyhydramnios

Amniotic fluid >2000 mL; linked to maternal diabetes, fetal GI obstruction.

Oligohydramnios

Amniotic fluid <300 mL; associated with renal agenesis, cord compression.

Bi-Radial Pulse Check (Newborn)

Assess brachial or femoral pulses bilaterally to screen for coarctation.