Maternal and Child Nursing Review – Vocabulary Flashcards

A collection of 100 English vocabulary flashcards covering key maternal and child nursing concepts from sexual anatomy to high-risk pregnancy management.

Law of Prioritization

Nursing guideline that prioritizes physical over psychosocial needs, unstable over stable, unexpected over expected, acute over chronic, and life-threatening situations first.

Cervix

Lower narrow portion of the uterus that opens into the vagina.

Fundus

Upper rounded part of the uterus; site assessed for implantation and fundal height.

Fallopian Tube

Duct connecting ovary to uterus; ampulla portion is the typical site of fertilization.

Ovaries

Female gonads that produce ova, estrogen, and progesterone.

Mons Pubis

Rounded fatty tissue overlying the pubic bone.

Labia Majora

Outer folds of the vulva providing protection for inner structures.

Clitoris

Highly sensitive erectile organ of the female external genitalia.

Skene’s Gland

Paraurethral glands that secrete lubricating fluid; female counterpart of prostate.

Bartholin’s Gland

Glands at vaginal introitus that secrete fluid to lubricate the vagina.

Estrogen

“Hormone of the woman”; stimulates secondary sexual characteristics and endometrial proliferation.

Progesterone

“Hormone of pregnancy”; prepares and maintains thick endometrium and inhibits uterine contractions.

Menarche

First menstrual period; average age 11-14 years.

Amenorrhea

Absence of menstruation.

Dysmenorrhea

Painful menstruation.

Menopause

Permanent cessation of menstruation; average onset 50-51 years.

Menorrhagia

Excessive menstrual bleeding.

Metrorrhagia

Uterine bleeding between regular menstrual periods.

Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)

Hypothalamic hormone that triggers release of FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Pituitary hormone that stimulates ovarian follicle growth and estrogen production.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Pituitary hormone that triggers ovulation and corpus luteum formation.

Follicular Phase

First half of menstrual cycle characterized by follicle maturation and rising estrogen.

Luteal Phase

Second half of cycle in which the corpus luteum secretes progesterone.

Ovulation

Release of a mature ovum around day 14 of a 28-day cycle.

Naegele’s Rule

EDD = LMP + 7 days and +9 months (or −3 months +7 days +1 year).

Sperm Viability

Sperm remain capable of fertilization for 48-72 hours (2-3 days).

Ovum Viability

Ovum can be fertilized for 24-36 hours after release.

Excitement Phase

First stage of sexual response marked by sympathetic arousal and vasocongestion.

Plateau Phase

Sustained period of sexual arousal preceding orgasm.

Orgasm Phase

Shortest phase of sexual response involving rhythmic contractions and peak pleasure.

Resolution Phase

Return to baseline after orgasm; includes a 15-30 min male refractory period.

Zygote

Single cell formed at fertilization; first stage of human development.

Embryo

Developing organism from implantation to the end of the 8th gestational week.

Fetus

Developing human from the 9th gestational week to birth (37-42 weeks term).

Mesoderm

Middle germ layer forming heart, muscles, bones, kidneys, and reproductive organs.

Endoderm

Inner germ layer forming GI and respiratory tracts, liver, thyroid, and thymus.

Ectoderm

Outer germ layer forming skin, hair, nails, and central nervous system.

Lanugo

Fine downy fetal hair appearing at the 4th month; abundant by 20 weeks.

Vernix Caseosa

White cheesy coating on fetal skin appearing around the 6th month.

Quickening

First maternal perception of fetal movement (16-20 weeks).

Amniotic Fluid

Clear alkaline fluid cushioning, nourishing, and thermoregulating the fetus.

Oligohydramnios

Amniotic fluid volume less than 500 mL; linked to urinary problems.

Polyhydramnios

Excess amniotic fluid volume; associated with fetal swallowing disorders.

Amniocentesis

Aspiration of amniotic fluid at 16-18 weeks for genetic and lung-maturity testing.

Alpha-Fetoprotein Test (MSAFP)

Maternal serum screening; low AFP suggests Down syndrome, high AFP suggests neural tube defect.

L:S Ratio

Lecithin-to-sphingomyelin ratio; 2:1 indicates fetal lung maturity.

Umbilical Cord

Fetal lifeline containing two arteries and one vein; average length 50 cm.

Two-Vessel Cord

Umbilical cord with one artery and one vein; associated with renal or cardiac anomalies.

Ductus Venosus

Fetal vessel that bypasses the liver, connecting umbilical vein to inferior vena cava.

Ductus Arteriosus

Fetal connection between pulmonary artery and aorta.

Foramen Ovale

Opening between right and left atria in the fetal heart.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)

Placental hormone that maintains corpus luteum; basis of pregnancy tests.

Human Placental Lactogen (hPL)

Placental hormone acting as insulin antagonist to increase maternal glucose for fetus.

Presumptive Signs of Pregnancy

Subjective symptoms felt by the woman, such as amenorrhea and nausea.

Probable Signs of Pregnancy

Objective findings by examiner, e.g., Chadwick’s sign, positive urine test.

Positive Signs of Pregnancy

Definitive evidence such as fetal heartbeat or ultrasound visualization.

Leopold’s Maneuvers

Four palpation steps to assess fetal presentation, position, and engagement.

Chloasma

“Mask of pregnancy”; dark facial pigmentation from hormonal changes.

Linea Nigra

Dark longitudinal line on the abdomen during pregnancy.

Striae Gravidarum

Stretch marks resulting from skin stretching over a growing abdomen.

Emesis Gravidarum

Normal nausea and vomiting of early pregnancy linked to high hCG.

Lordosis

Exaggerated lumbar curve in pregnancy due to hormone relaxin.

Physiological Anemia of Pregnancy

Dilutional anemia caused by increased plasma volume.

Supine Hypotension Syndrome

Maternal BP drop when lying flat due to vena cava compression; relieved by left side-lying.

Pyrosis

Heartburn during pregnancy from gastric acid reflux into esophagus.

Kegel’s Exercise

Pelvic floor muscle workouts that help control urinary frequency and support childbirth recovery.

Varicose Veins

Dilated, tortuous veins common in pregnancy from increased pressure; prevented with support hose.

Danger Signs of Pregnancy

Unexpected symptoms such as severe headache, visual changes, edema, or bleeding requiring evaluation.

Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (PIH)

Hypertensive disorder after 20 weeks with proteinuria and edema; also called toxemia.

McDonald’s Rule

Fundal height (cm) × 8⁄7 estimates gestational weeks; × 2⁄7 estimates months.

Bartholomew’s Rule

Landmarks for fundal height: symphysis pubis 12 wks, umbilicus 20 wks, xiphoid 36 wks.

Haase’s Rule

Fetal length estimate: months 1-5 squared in cm; months 6-10 × 5 cm.

True Labor

Regular contractions causing cervical effacement and dilation, pain from back to abdomen not relieved by walking.

Effacement

Thinning of the cervix expressed as a percentage.

Dilation

Opening of the cervical os measured from 0 to 10 cm.

Station

Degree of fetal descent relative to ischial spines, noted −5 to +5 or 0 at engagement.

Cardinal Movements

Sequence of fetal maneuvers: Engagement, Descent, Flexion, Internal rotation, Extension, External rotation, Expulsion.

Ritgen’s Maneuver

Perineal support technique to control fetal head extension during birth.

Signs of Placental Separation

Uterus contracts, sudden gush of blood, and lengthening umbilical cord.

Involution

Return of uterus to pre-pregnant size within about six weeks postpartum.

Episiotomy

Surgical incision of perineum to enlarge vaginal opening during birth.

Uterine Atony

Failure of uterus to contract postpartum, leading to hemorrhage.

Subinvolution

Delayed or failed return of the uterus to pre-pregnant size.

Methergine

Ergot uterotonic drug used to treat postpartum hemorrhage caused by atony.

Spontaneous Abortion

Unintentional loss of pregnancy before fetal viability (<20 weeks).

Threatened Abortion

Bleeding with closed cervix and viable fetus; pregnancy may continue.

Incomplete Abortion

Partial expulsion of products of conception; cervix remains open.

Missed Abortion

Fetal death with retained products in utero; closed cervix.

Ectopic Pregnancy

Implantation of fertilized ovum outside uterus, usually in ampulla of fallopian tube.

Hydatidiform Mole

Gestational trophoblastic disease with grape-like vesicles, high hCG, absent fetal heartbeat.

Incompetent Cervix

Painless cervical dilation leading to recurrent pregnancy loss in mid-trimester.

Placenta Previa

Placenta implanted low over cervical os causing painless bright red bleeding.

Abruptio Placentae

Premature placental separation causing painful dark bleeding and board-like abdomen.

Shirodkar Suture

Permanent cervical cerclage procedure for incompetent cervix, usually left for CS delivery.

McDonald Cerclage

Purse-string cervical suture removed near term to treat incompetent cervix.

Tetralogy of Fallot

Congenital heart defect with four lesions causing cyanosis; child squats to reduce venous return.

Spinbarkeit

Clear, stretchy cervical mucus at ovulation indicating fertility.

Basal Body Temperature Method

Fertility awareness technique using post-ovulation temperature rise from progesterone.

Relaxin

Hormone that softens ligaments and contributes to lumbar lordosis during pregnancy.

Magnesium Sulfate Toxicity

Complication marked by absent reflexes, low respirations and urine output; antidote is calcium gluconate.