MATERNAL SL PRELIMS: History Taking and Drug Administration

100 practice flashcards covering key topics from the video notes: EDD, age of gestation, GTPAL, Home Base Mother Record, fundic height, Leopold's maneuvers, drug administration, and oral drug administration.

What does EDD stand for?

Expected Date of Delivery.

What is the purpose of the EDD?

To estimate the day around which childbirth will occur based on gestational dating.

Age of Gestation is measured in what unit?

Weeks.

What does GA stand for in obstetrics?

Gestational Age—the length of pregnancy.

What does GTPAL stand for?

Gravida, Term, Preterm, Abortions, Living.

Define Gravida.

The total number of pregnancies a woman has had, including the current one.

Define Term in GTPAL.

Number of pregnancies delivered at term (37–42 weeks).

Define Preterm in GTPAL.

Number of pregnancies delivered before 37 weeks.

Define Abortions in GTPAL.

Number of pregnancies ending in abortion before viability.

Define Living in GTPAL.

Number of living children.

Why is the Home Base Mother Record filled?

To document maternal history and pregnancy data for continuity of care.

What information is typically recorded in the Home Base Mother Record?

Personal information, obstetric history, and pregnancy data.

What is fundic height?

The height of the uterus measured from the pubic symphysis to the fundus.

How is fundic height measured?

By palpation/measurement with a measuring tape while the patient is supine.

What units are used for fundic height?

Centimeters.

Around what gestational age does fundic height start to correlate with weeks?

Around 20 weeks.

What clinical value does fundic height provide?

An estimate of fetal growth and pregnancy progress.

What can cause fundic height to be higher than expected?

Multiple pregnancy or polyhydramnios.

What can cause fundic height to be lower than expected?

Dating errors or possible fetal growth restriction.

Which part of the uterus is measured in fundic height?

The fundus, i.e., the top part of the uterus.

What is Leopold's Maneuver used for?

To determine fetal position, lie, and presenting part.

How many Leopold maneuvers are performed?

Four.

What does the first Leopold maneuver assess?

Which fetal part is at the fundus (head or buttocks).

What does the second Leopold maneuver assess?

Location of the fetal back and limbs.

What does the third Leopold maneuver assess?

Presenting part and engagement.

What does the fourth Leopold maneuver assess?

Fetal attitude and flexion of the presenting part.

When are Leopold maneuvers typically performed?

In the late second trimester and later.

What is the primary purpose of Leopold maneuvers?

To determine fetal position for delivery planning.

Who typically performs Leopold maneuvers?

A trained clinician (e.g., physician or midwife).

What should be monitored during Leopold maneuvers?

Fetal heart rate and safety considerations.

Name a precaution during Leopold maneuvers.

Perform gently and monitor for fetal distress; proceed with clinical judgment.

What is Drug Administration in obstetrics?

The process of giving medications to a pregnant patient.

What does Oral Drug Administration mean?

Drugs taken by mouth.

Name two general routes of drug administration besides oral.

Intravenous (IV) and Intramuscular (IM).

What is a common advantage of oral drug administration?

Non-invasive and convenient.

What is a common limitation of oral drug administration in pregnancy?

Absorption can be variable due to GI changes and vomiting.

Why is drug safety important in pregnancy?

To protect the fetus from potential adverse drug effects.

What is a key consideration when prescribing medications to pregnant patients?

Assessing the safety of the drug for the fetus.

What is the role of the clinician in oral drug administration?

To ensure correct drug, dose, and route, and to instruct the patient.

What should be checked before giving a drug to a pregnant patient?

Drug, dose, route, and patient identity.

Give an example of an oral medication commonly used in prenatal care.

Folic acid or iron supplementation.

How does onset differ between oral and IV drug administration?

Oral has a slower, variable onset due to GI absorption; IV is rapid.

What is a core goal when administering drugs in pregnancy?

Ensure maternal treatment while minimizing fetal risk.

What documentation is typically required after drug administration?

Time, dose, route, and observed effects.

Who is responsible for patient instruction after drug administration?

The clinician or nurse administering the medication.

What is the first step before giving any oral medication?

Verify the prescription and patient identity.

Why might alternative oral forms be considered for some patients?

If the patient cannot swallow, or absorption is compromised.

What is the primary purpose of a Home Base Mother Record in prenatal care?

To maintain a comprehensive record for continuity of care across visits.

Which settings use the Home Base Mother Record?

Community/home-based care and clinics, not only hospitals.

What is a key benefit of updating the Home Base Mother Record at each visit?

Ensures current information is available for care decisions.

What type of data would you expect in the Home Base Mother Record besides medical history?

Obstetric history, LMP/EDD, and basic demographics.

What is a fundamental metric in prenatal history taking related to pregnancy duration?

Gestational age (GA) and estimated due date (EDD).

What does the acronym GTPAL help summarize?

A detailed obstetric history including gravida, term, preterm, abortions, and living children.

What does the letter 'G' in GTPAL stand for?

Gravida.

What does the letter 'T' in GTPAL stand for?

Term.

What does the letter 'P' in GTPAL stand for?

Preterm.

What does the letter 'A' in GTPAL stand for?

Abortions.

What does the letter 'L' in GTPAL stand for?

Living.

How can GTPAL be used in clinical care?

To assess risk and plan management for current and future pregnancies.

Is Gravida always equal to the number of pregnancies including the current pregnancy?

Yes.

Can GTPAL be updated at each prenatal visit?

Yes, to reflect new pregnancies and outcomes.

What does a GTPAL pattern of G3 T2 P1 A0 L2 indicate?

Three pregnancies total, two term, one preterm, zero abortions, two living children.

Why is it important to document 'Living' in GTPAL?

It reflects the number of children who are alive and affects future risk assessment.

What is the typical purpose of the Leopold maneuvers in delivery planning?

To determine fetal position for safe delivery.

How many Leopold maneuvers are typically performed to assess fetal position?

Four.

Why is the third Leopold maneuver important?

It helps identify the presenting part and engagement.

Which Leopold maneuver is most used to locate the fetal back?

The second maneuver.

What factor can influence the accuracy of Leopold maneuvers?

Fetal movement and examiner technique.

What is assessed in Leopold maneuvers to guide delivery decisions?

Fetal lie, presentation, position, and engagement.

What preparation is recommended before performing Leopold maneuvers?

Explain procedure, obtain consent, and monitor fetal heart rate.

What sign during Leopold maneuvers suggests engagement of the presenting part?

A change in the feel of the presenting part in the lower pelvis during the third maneuver.

In what trimester are Leopold maneuvers most informative?

Late second trimester and onward.

What is the clinical value of fundic height in pregnancy monitoring?

Assesses fetal growth and gestational progress.

What action helps ensure fundic height measurement is reliable?

Accurate dating and consistent measurement technique.

What might a consistently rising fundic height indicate after 20 weeks?

Normal fetal growth consistent with advancing gestation.

What might a fundic height measurement that plateaus or decreases suggest?

Possible dating error, growth restriction, or uterine anomalies.

Which anatomical landmark is used when measuring fundic height?

Pubic symphysis to the fundus.

What is the typical position for the patient during fundic height measurement?

Supine or semi-recumbent.

What is the relationship between fundic height and weeks after 20 weeks?

In cm, fundic height roughly corresponds to gestational weeks.

Can fundic height replace ultrasound for fetal assessment?

No; it is a screening tool and ultrasound provides more detail.

What general skill set is required to perform fundic height measurements?

Abdominal palpation and measurement with a tape, using proper technique.

How does fundic height help in dating that is uncertain?

Provides a cross-check against known LMP/early ultrasound dating.

If dating is uncertain, what step is commonly taken?

Ultrasound dating may be used to revise EDD.

What is the fundus of the uterus?

The uppermost, dome-shaped part of the uterus.

During which weeks is fundic height measurement most routinely used?

From about 20 weeks onward.

What should be done if fundic height does not match expected gestational age?

Reassess dating and consider ultrasound for confirmation.

What is the reason to monitor fundic height across pregnancy?

To track fetal growth and pregnancy progress.

What instrument is typically used to measure fundic height?

Measuring tape.

What patient factor can affect fundic height readings?

Bladder fullness or maternal body habitus.

What does a fundic height of 28 cm most closely correspond to after 20 weeks?

About 28 weeks of gestation (assuming dating is accurate).

What is the main goal of history taking in prenatal care?

To collect information about the pregnancy, health status, and risks to guide care.

What is a key component of history taking in prenatal care besides dates?

Gestational age and obstetric history (GTPAL).

What is the practical use of Home Base records in primary care?

Ensuring continuity and accessibility of maternal health information.

Which data track is essential for risk assessment in pregnancy?

GTPAL obstetric history.

What is the role of fundic height in managing pregnancy?

Screen growth and confirm dating accuracy.

Which maneuver helps determine fetal presentation?

Leopold’s maneuver.

What are the two most common routes of drug administration in pregnancy?

Oral and injectable (IV/IM) as general categories.

Why is oral drug administration specially noted in obstetrics?

Because it involves absorption through the GI tract and maternal–fetal safety considerations.

What is a common benefit of oral medication in prenatal care?

Convenience and non-invasiveness.

What is a typical risk of oral medications for pregnant patients?

Variable absorption and potential GI side effects.