Maternal & Child Health Nursing - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, theories, reproductive processes, and contraception methods from the notes.

Maternal & Child Health Nursing

Nursing specialty focused on the health and well‑being of mothers, babies, and families across pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and early childhood, with local and global emphasis.

Family-Centered Care

A philosophy that the family is the constant in a child’s life and partners with families in planning and delivering care.

Holistic Approach

Care that addresses physical, emotional, social, cultural, and spiritual needs of mothers, children, and families.

Continuity of Care

Ongoing, coordinated care across preconception, pregnancy, postpartum, and childhood.

Collaboration

Partnership among healthcare providers, families, and communities to achieve holistic care.

National & Global Goals (Maternal & Child Health)

Targets to decrease maternal and infant mortality, improve prenatal/postpartum access, immunization, nutrition, and breastfeeding.

Evidence-Based Practice

Integration of the best available research with clinical expertise and patient values in care.

Culturally Sensitive Care

Care that respects and responds to cultural beliefs and practices.

Safe, Ethical, & Legal Nursing Practice

Practice guided by safety standards, ethics, and legal requirements.

Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring

Holistic, compassionate, relationship‑based care emphasizing caring moments in nursing.

Dorothea Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory

Theory of helping individuals/families perform self-care to regain independence.

Madeleine Leininger’s Transcultural Nursing Theory

Theory emphasizing respect for cultural diversity in nursing care.

Kurt Lewin’s Change Theory

Model for guiding behavior changes in health practices through unfreezing, change, and refreezing.

Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory

Framework showing how multiple environmental systems influence child development.

Care Provider (MCHN)

Nurse delivering safe, effective, and individualized care to mothers and children.

Educator (MCHN)

Nurse who teaches health promotion, newborn care, and parenting skills.

Advocate (MCHN)

Nurse who protects the rights and welfare of mothers and children.

Researcher (MCHN)

Professional who applies and generates evidence to improve care.

Reproductive & Sexual Health

Field focusing on safe, healthy, and responsible sexuality and reproduction.

Evolutionary Theory

Theory that life and complex organisms arose through billions of years of natural selection.

Gamete

A haploid reproductive cell (sperm or ovum) that fuses during fertilization.

Spermatogenesis

Male gamete production; continues from puberty with millions of sperm produced daily.

Oogenesis

Female gamete production; begins before birth, with primary oocytes arrested until puberty.

Zona Pellucida

Protective glycoprotein layer around the ovum; sperm bind to it and fertilization triggers changes to block other sperm.

Zygote

Fertilized egg formed by the union of sperm and ovum; diploid cell that begins development.

Cleavage

Rapid mitotic divisions of the zygote forming a multicellular blastocyst en route to the uterus.

Endometrium

Inner lining of the uterus where the embryo implants and placenta develops.

Placenta

Organ that nourishes the fetus via the umbilical cord and exchanges nutrients and wastes.

Umbilical Cord

Cord connecting fetus to placenta, supplying nutrients and oxygen and removing wastes.

Gestation

The period of development from fertilization to birth (pregnancy duration).

Embryo

Early developmental stage after fertilization that implants in the uterine lining.

Fertilization

Union of the sperm and ovum to form a zygote.

Conception

Beginning of pregnancy; often used interchangeably with fertilization.

Natural Family Planning

Contraceptive approach using fertility awareness and abstinence during fertile periods without chemicals.

Fertility Awareness

Monitoring signs to determine when a woman is fertile to abstain or plan pregnancy.

Abstinence

Refraining from sexual activity; theoretically 0% failure rate for pregnancy and STI prevention.

Calendar (Rhythm) Method

Avoiding intercourse on days of the cycle when conception is most likely.

Basal Body Temperature Method

Tracking resting body temperature; ovulation raises BBT, used to predict ovulation.

Cervical Mucus Method

Observing cervical mucus changes; mucus becomes thin and slippery at ovulation (spinnbarkeit).

Symptothermal Method

Combination of cervical mucus monitoring and basal body temperature to predict ovulation.

Ovulation Detection

Use of over‑the‑counter kits to detect the LH surge indicating ovulation.

Lactation Amenorrhea Method

Fertility suppression during exclusive breastfeeding; ovulation may still occur before menses resume.

Coitus Interruptus

Withdrawal method; ejaculation occurs outside the vagina.

Post Coital Douching

Douching after intercourse; ineffective as a contraceptive method.

Oral Contraceptives

Birth control pills containing estrogen and progestin that suppress ovulation and alter cervical mucus.

Transderm Patch

Weekly patch delivering estrogen and progestin; worn for 3 weeks, then patch-free week.

Vaginal Ring

Estrogen/progestin releasing ring inserted in the vagina for 3 weeks with a 4th week withdrawal.

Subdermal Implant

Under‑skin implants releasing progestin; effective for 3–5 years; ~1% fail rate.

Hormonal Injections

Progesterone-based injections (e.g., medroxyprogesterone) every 12 weeks; inhibits ovulation.

Intrauterine Device (IUD)

T‑shaped device inserted into the uterus; prevents fertilization/implantation via local inflammation.

Chemical Barriers

Spermicides, vaginal gels/creams, glycerin films that kill sperm or hinder their activity.

Diaphragm

Rubber disk placed over the cervix with spermicide; requires proper fitting.

Cervical Cap

Soft rubber cap fitted to the cervix; can stay in place up to 48 hours.

Male Condoms

Latex or synthetic sheath on the erect penis; prevents semen exchange and reduces STI risk.

Female Condoms

Latex sheath designed for females; prelubricated with spermicide; inner and outer rings for placement.

Vasectomy

Male sterilization: severing or sealing the vas deferens; highly effective; requires semen checks.

Tubal Ligation

Female sterilization: tying, cutting, or blocking fallopian tubes; highly effective; possible brief recovery.