Pregnancy at Risk: Conditions That Complicate Pregnancy

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering medical, infectious, and sociodemographic risks and conditions that complicate pregnancy as discussed in Chapter 16.

Perinatologist

An obstetrician who specializes specifically in the care of at-risk pregnancies.

Pregestational diabetes

A classification of diabetes that includes type 1 and type 2 diabetes existing prior to the onset of pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)

A form of diabetes induced by insulin resistance that occurs during pregnancy.

Diabetogenic state

A condition occurring normally during pregnancy characterized by three responses: hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and hyperinsulinemia.

Macrosomia

A fetal complication of maternal diabetes defined as a birth weight greater than $4,000\,g$ ($8.8\,lb$) or $\geq 90^{th}$ percentile for gestational age.

Euglycemia

A state of normal blood glucose levels that a woman with pregestational diabetes should ideally achieve before becoming pregnant.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

A complication of diabetes where glucose levels exceed $300\,mg/dL$, characterized by ketonuria, Kussmaul respirations, and acetone breath.

WHO Class III or IV heart disease

Categories of cardiovascular disease that carry a poor prognosis for pregnancy, requiring intensive monitoring and treatment.

Cardiac decompensation

A state of heart failure or inability of the heart to maintain adequate circulation, for which the nurse must monitor throughout labor and the postpartum period.

Iron-deficiency anemia

The most common form of anemia in pregnancy, characterized by a hemoglobin level $<11\,g/dL$ and a hematocrit level $<33\%$.

Pica

An eating disorder associated with iron-deficiency anemia involving the consumption of non-nutritive substances.

Pagophagia

A specific type of pica characterized by the compulsive consumption of ice.

Status asthmaticus

A severe asthma attack that does not respond to standard treatment, potentially leading to hypoxemia, hypercapnia, and respiratory failure.

Status epilepticus

An emergency seizure complication that requires immediate measures to protect the pregnant woman from injury.

Immunoprophylaxis

The prevention of infectious disease through the production of active or passive immunity.

Perinatal transmission

Also known as vertical transmission, this is the transfer of an infectious agent from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breast-feeding.

Suppressive therapy

A medical treatment designed to suppress the symptoms or activity of an infection without providing a complete cure.

TORCH

An acronym for a specific group of teratogenic infections: Toxoplasmosis, Other (hepatitis B, syphilis, varicella, and herpes zoster), Rubella, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV).

Toxoplasma gondii

The organism that causes Toxoplasmosis, transmitted through undercooked meat, unfiltered water, contaminated soil, or cat feces.

Treponema pallidum

The bacterium responsible for Syphilis that can easily cross the placenta and cause fetal demise or congenital infection.

Condylomata acuminata

Genital warts caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the most common viral STI.

Trichomoniasis

An STI caused by the one-celled protozoa Trichomonas, presenting with foamy, yellow-green vaginal discharge and a foul odor.

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)

Abusive behavior used to exert and maintain power and control over a partner, which may begin or escalate during pregnancy.

Honeymoon Phase

The stage in the cycle of violence, also called 'Absence of Tension', where the batterer may apologize, promise to change, and give presents.