Family, Culture, Women's Health, and Intrapartum Nursing

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering core topics in cultural humility, family structures, health paradigms, gynecologic health, contraception, infections, genetic concepts, and intrapartum nursing care.

Cultural Humility

A perspective of 'culturally respectful nursing' defined by approaching care with respect and openness, actively learning about patients' beliefs without assuming, engaging in self-reflection regarding personal biases, recognizing one may never be fully competent, and building a mutually balanced relationship.

Cultural Competence

The development of skills and knowledge to recognize the influence of culture on one's own beliefs, systematically assess patient cultural healthcare practices, and use tools and the nursing process to create an individualized, culturally sensitive plan of care.

Race

A group sharing biologic similarities such as skin color, bone structure, and genetic traits.

Ethnicity

A cultural group's common social and cultural heritage.

Stereotyping

Assuming all members of a group share the same characteristics.

Acculturation

Modifying one's own culture to fit within a new or dominant culture.

Assimilation

Adopting or incorporating traits of a new culture into one's own practice.

Ethnocentrism

The conviction that the values and beliefs of one's own culture are the only acceptable ones.

Macro-Religious Health Belief

A health paradigm centered on supernatural forces, god, gods, magic, spirits, or fate, where comfort comes from prayer, healing rituals, and faith healing.

Scientific or Biomedical Health Belief

A health paradigm based on Western medicine where physiology explains all illness and life itself; it represents the primary belief system of most healthcare professionals.

Holistic Health Belief

A health paradigm stating that illness results when natural balance and harmony are disturbed (seen in North American Indian and Asian cultures), incorporating theories such as hot/cold conditions.

Curandero/Curandera

A Hispanic American holistic folk practitioner whose treatment success relies heavily on the family's faith in their abilities.

Espiritistas

Folk practitioners of Spiritism in Latin American and Caribbean cultures who communicate with spirits for a patient's physical and emotional development, though frowned upon in some Hispanic cultures.

Shaman

A folk practitioner in Native Hawaiian culture who enters an altered state of consciousness at will to focus on the balance of nature and harmony.

Menarche

The first occurrence of menstruation, typically occurring at 11-12 years old, though obese girls often start earlier.

Amenorrhea

The absence of periods for at least 3 months (always requiring pregnancy to be ruled out first without exception), categorized as primary (never occurred) or secondary (started and then stopped).

Intermenstrual Bleeding (IMB)

Bleeding or spotting occurring between regular menstrual periods.

Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (HMB)

Excessive bleeding occurring at regular intervals, lasting over seven days, or fitting the woman's perception of heavy flow.

Polymenorrhea

Regular, frequent menses occurring with cycle lengths under 21 days.

Oligomenorrhea

Menstrual bleeding occurring less often than every 35 days.

Primary Dysmenorrhea

Painful menstrual cramps with no underlying disease, caused by prostaglandin F2 and treated with NSAIDs and combined oral contraceptives.

Secondary Dysmenorrhea

Painful menstrual cramps caused by underlying reproductive tract pathology appearing after menstruation is established, such as endometriosis, residual PID, fibroids, or pelvic tumors.

PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)

Behavioral and physical changes occurring during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, with 20-40% of women reporting symptoms as difficult enough to impact work, relationships, and activity levels.

PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder)

A severe DSM-5 psychiatric disorder affecting 1.3-8% of women, associated with early childhood trauma, characterized by multi-system physical and psychiatric symptoms, and treated with SSRIs (Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil).

Perimenopause

The transition stage before menopause where estrogen falls and cycles become irregular; lasts 2-10 years (usually mid-40s) and during which pregnancy remains possible.

Menopause

A specific point in time defined by 12 consecutive months with no period and no other cause, occurring at a US average age of 51 years and confirmed by FSH over $40\text{ mIU/mL}$.

Postmenopause

All years following the 12-month mark of amenorrhea, during which the body adapts to low estrogen and risk for osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease rises significantly.

Premature Menopause / POI

Menopause occurring before age 40, strongly requiring hormone therapy to protect bones and heart; caused by cancer treatments, surgical ovary removal, or autoimmune conditions.

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)

Vaginal thinning and loss of lubrication caused by estrogen decline, raising pH to 4-6/7 and causing symptoms like dyspareunia, dryness, urinary urgency, and recurrent UTIs.

Symptothermal Method

The most accurate Fertility Awareness Based (FAB) contraceptive method that combines basal body temperature, cervical mucus (Billings), and calendar tracking, with a 2-3% typical use failure rate.

Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)

A natural contraceptive method effective only when an infant is under 6 months old, exclusively breastfed, and menses has not returned (all 3 conditions required).

Spinnbarkeit

The clear, slippery, and stretchy characteristics of cervical mucus observed at the time of ovulation.

External Male Condom

The only barrier method providing dual protection against pregnancy and STIs; has a 13% typical use failure rate (2% with perfect use) and must be used with water-based lubricants only.

Internal Female Condom

A patient-controlled nitrile sheath inserted into the vagina up to 8 hours before sex that is safe for latex allergies, offers STI protection, and has a 21% typical failure rate.

Diaphragm

A provider-fitted, reusable, hormone-free device used with spermicide that is inserted up to 6 hours before and must remain 6 hours after sex; requires refitting after weight changes over 10 lbs, pregnancy, or pelvic surgery.

ACHES Warning Signs

An acronym for signs of severe combined hormonal contraceptive complications: Abdominal pain (severe), Chest pain/SOB, Headache with severe neuro symptoms, Eye problems/vision changes, and Severe leg pain or swelling.

Norethindrone Mini-Pill (Micronor)

A daily progestin-only pill with a strict 3-hour window (requiring backup for 48 hours if late) that works by thickening cervical mucus without reliably suppressing ovulation.

Drospirenone Mini-Pill (Slynd)

A progestin-only pill featuring a 24-hour administration window that suppresses ovulation more reliably, making it suitable for patients who struggle with strict timing.

Depo-Provera Injection

A medroxyprogesterone IM injection given every 12-13 weeks that is highly effective, though return of fertility may take up to 10 months and long-term use may decrease bone density.

Nexplanon Implant

A single matchstick-sized etonogestrel subdermal rod inserted in the upper arm that is effective for 3 years; it is the most reliable reversible contraceptive available (99.9%).

LARC (Long-Acting Reversible Contraception)

A category including all IUDs and Nexplanon (effective 3-12 years) that is recommended first-line for adolescents and nulliparous women because it eliminates user and human error.

Ulipristal (Ella)

A prescription emergency contraceptive effective up to 120 hours (more effective than levonorgestrel at 72-120 hours); requires avoiding breastfeeding for 36 hours after use.

Levonorgestrel (Plan B)

An OTC emergency contraceptive most effective within 72 hours and usable up to 120 hours; effectiveness decreases with time and may be reduced in patients over 165-175 pounds.

Bacterial Vaginosis

Non-STI overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria (Gardnerella Vaginalis) marked by thin gray/white discharge, fishy odor, pH >4.5, positive WHIFF test, and clue cells on wet mount; treated with Metronidazole.

Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

A yeast infection caused by Candida albicans presenting with thick white curd-like discharge, intense vulvar itching, normal pH (4.0-4.5), and pseudohyphae on microscopy; treated with fluconazole or topical azoles.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

An ascending infection of the upper genital tract (most often chlamydia or gonorrhea) characterized by cervical motion tenderness (chandelier sign), uterine tenderness, and adnexal tenderness that causes tubal scarring.

Fibroadenoma

A benign breast condition in females aged 15-35 presenting as a solid, well-defined, rubbery, mobile, and painless lump (often referred to as a 'breast mouse').

Intraductal Papilloma

A small benign tumor in a milk duct (ages 40-60) presenting with spontaneous unilateral bloody or serous nipple discharge.

Ductal Ectasia

A perimenopausal benign condition with dilation of subareolar ducts producing thick, sticky, multicolored (green, brown, gray) discharge and potential nipple retraction.

Endometriosis

The presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity that bleeds cyclicly, causing inflammation and adhesions; characterized by the 5 D's (Dysmenorrhea, Dyspareunia, Dyschezia, Dysuria, Difficulty conceiving).

PCOS / PMOS

Polycystic/polyendocrine Metabolic Syndrome diagnosed by Rotterdam criteria (2 of 3: ovulatory dysfunction, hyperandrogenism, polycystic ovaries); associated with insulin resistance, central obesity, and infertility.

Cystocele

Prolapse of the bladder into the anterior wall of the vagina causing stress incontinence, frequency, urgency, and recurrent UTIs; treated surgically with an anterior colporrhaphy.

Rectocele

Prolapse of the rectum into the posterior wall of the vagina causing constipation, difficulty defecating, and needing to splint to evacuate stool; treated surgically with a posterior colporrhaphy.

Uterine Prolapse

Descent of the uterus into the vagina causing a sensation of heaviness, feeling like something is falling out, low back pain, and dyspareunia.

Nagele's Rule

A formula to calculate estimated due date from the last menstrual period: subtract 3 months and add 7 days to the first day of the LMP.

GTPAL

An obstetric history classification system: Gravida (total pregnancies), Term births (>37 weeks), Preterm births (20 to <37 weeks), Abortions (<20 weeks), and Living children.

Goodell Sign

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

Chadwick Sign

A probable objective sign of pregnancy characterized by deep red, purple, or blue coloration of the mucous membranes of the cervix, vagina, and vulva.

Hegar Sign

A probable objective sign of pregnancy characterized by the softening of the isthmus of the uterus.

Physiologic Anemia of Pregnancy

Pseudoanemia caused by a plasma volume increase (~50%) exceeding the red blood cell mass increase (25-30%), resulting in a dilutional decrease in hemoglobin and hematocrit.

First Stage of Labor

The stage of labor from the onset of regular contractions to full cervical dilation (10 cm), divided into Latent/Early (0-3 cm), Active (4-7 cm), and Transition (8-10 cm) phases.

Second Stage of Labor

The pushing stage of labor extending from full cervical dilation (10 cm) to the birth of the neonate.

Third Stage of Labor

The phase of labor extending from the birth of the neonate to the complete expulsion of the placenta.

Fourth Stage of Labor

The initial postpartum recovery period (1-4 hours after placental delivery) where the uterus contracts firmly, fundus is midline, and lochia rubra is present.

Schultze Mechanism

Placental separation starting from the center toward the edges, delivered with the shiny gray fetal side presenting first ('Shiny Schultze').

Duncan Mechanism

Placental separation starting from the outer margins inward, delivered sideways with the rough red maternal side presenting first ('Dirty Duncan').

Sinusoidal FHR Pattern

A smooth, wave-like S-shaped fetal heart rate baseline pattern indicating severe fetal anemia or hypoxia.