Spontaneous Abortion Practice Exam

EXPLANATION

✔Correct answer:

Habitual. The term habitual abortion (also known as recurrent pregnancy loss) refers to the occurrence of three or more consecutive spontaneous abortions. In the scenario provided, the patient's history of recurrent miscarriages in the second trimester due to cervical insufficiency (a condition where a weakened cervix dilates prematurely) is characteristic of habitual abortion. Cervical insufficiency is a common cause of second-trimester losses and is typically addressed with interventions like cervical cerclage to help maintain pregnancy.

In habitual abortion due to cervical insufficiency, the cervix may begin to dilate painlessly and without contractions, leading to premature birth or pregnancy loss in the second trimester. Recurrent pregnancy loss often requires specialized care, including evaluating potential underlying causes and providing supportive therapies to prevent future losses.

Imagine trying to hold water in a balloon with a small hole at the bottom (the cervix). No matter how carefully you fill the balloon, if the hole isn't fixed, the water will keep leaking out (recurrent pregnancy loss) every time you try.

Nurses caring for patients with a history of habitual abortion should focus on providing emotional support and detailed education on treatment options, such as cervical cerclage or progesterone supplementation. Coordination with a multidisciplinary team, including obstetricians and perinatologists, is crucial for managing future pregnancies.

✘Incorrect answer options:

Missed. A missed abortion refers to a situation where the fetus has died but is not expelled from the uterus. This is different from habitual abortion, where multiple consecutive pregnancy losses occur.

Incomplete. An incomplete abortion involves the partial expulsion of pregnancy tissue, where some remains in the uterus, leading to continued symptoms like bleeding. This does not describe the scenario of recurrent second-trimester losses due to cervical insufficiency.

Complete. A complete abortion occurs when all pregnancy tissue has been expelled. This term does not apply to the repeated losses described in habitual abortion.

Threatened. A threatened abortion involves vaginal bleeding with a closed cervix and no tissue expulsion in early pregnancy, which may or may not result in miscarriage. This does not describe the habitual losses due to a weakened cervix.

EXPLANATION

✔Correct answer:

"I will maintain strict bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy." The statement made by the patient that suggests a need for further clarification is "I will maintain strict bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy." While bed rest may be recommended in the short term to manage symptoms of a threatened abortion, particularly during the acute phase of bleeding, strict bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy is typically not necessary and could have negative consequences, such as increased risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or muscle deconditioning.

It’s important to clarify that while resting and limiting strenuous activities may be advised until the bleeding subsides, strict bed rest for the entire pregnancy is usually not recommended unless there are other complications. The patient should be encouraged to follow up closely with her healthcare provider, who will guide activity levels based on the progression of her pregnancy and any further symptoms.

Think of pregnancy as a long road trip. If the car (the body) shows a warning light (bleeding), it might be necessary to pull over and rest for a bit to check what’s wrong. But if you stop completely and never start driving again (strict bed rest), you won't reach your destination (a healthy pregnancy). Instead, it’s better to carefully resume the journey under supervision (appropriate activity level as advised by your healthcare provider).

The nurse should ensure that the patient understands the recommendations for activity restriction during a threatened abortion and provide clear guidance on when and how to resume normal activities. It’s also essential to educate the patient on monitoring symptoms and when to seek immediate medical attention, such as if the bleeding worsens or if there is the passage of tissue.

✘Incorrect answer options:

"I will refrain from sexual activity until the bleeding stops and for 2 weeks after the last sign of bleeding." This statement is correct. Refraining from sexual activity is commonly advised during a threatened abortion to reduce the risk of exacerbating bleeding or irritating the uterus.

"I will keep track of the perineal pads I use each day, noting the amount and color of the blood." This is a correct and important practice. Monitoring the amount and color of blood can help provide useful information to healthcare providers and detect any changes that might indicate worsening of the condition.

"I will monitor for any signs of tissue passage." This is a correct statement. The passage of tissue can be a sign of a progressing miscarriage, and it’s important for the patient to report this to her healthcare provider immediately.

EXPLANATION

✔Correct answer:

G5 T2 P1 A1 L4. To accurately determine the client’s GTPAL, we break down each component:

• G (Gravida): The total number of pregnancies, regardless of the outcome. The client is currently pregnant and has had 4 previous pregnancies (one resulting in twins), so G = 5.
• T (Term): The number of pregnancies that were carried to term (37 weeks or beyond). The client has had two term deliveries (40 weeks and 38 weeks), so T = 2.
• P (Preterm): The number of pregnancies delivered preterm (between 20 and 36 weeks). The client has had one preterm delivery (the twins born at 35 weeks), so P = 1.
• A (Abortion): The number of pregnancies that ended in spontaneous or elective abortion before 20 weeks. The client had one spontaneous abortion at 10 weeks, so A = 1.
• L (Living children): The number of living children. The client has four living children (one son, one daughter, and twins), so L = 4.

Putting it all together, the correct GTPAL notation for this client is G5 T2 P1 A1 L4.

Think of GTPAL as a detailed resume of a woman's pregnancy history. "G" is like listing how many jobs (pregnancies) she's had in total, "T" is how many of those were full-time (term), "P" is how many were part-time (preterm), "A" is how many were internships that ended early (abortions), and "L" is how many successful projects (living children) resulted from those jobs.

Nurses should ensure that they correctly calculate GTPAL as it is essential for understanding the client's obstetric history and potential risk factors. Accurate documentation and communication of this information are crucial for ongoing prenatal care and anticipating potential complications.

✘Incorrect answer options:

G4 T3 P2 A1 L4. This option is incorrect because it incorrectly classifies the number of term and preterm deliveries. The client has had two term pregnancies, not three, and one preterm pregnancy, not two.

G5 T3 P1 A0 L3. This option is incorrect because it misrepresents the client's history in multiple areas. The client has had one preterm delivery, not one term and no abortions. The living children count is also incorrect as it lists only 3.

G4 T2 P2 A1 L4. This option is incorrect because it underestimates the total number of pregnancies (Gravida). The correct total should be 5, not 4. Additionally, it incorrectly classifies the number of preterm pregnancies as 2 instead of 1.

EXPLANATION

✔Correct answer:

Hydatidiform mole. The patient’s assessment findings suggest a diagnosis of a hydatidiform mole, also known as a molar pregnancy. A hydatidiform mole is a type of gestational trophoblastic disease that results from abnormal fertilization, leading to the growth of abnormal tissue within the uterus. The key signs pointing to this condition in the scenario include an abnormally large fundal height for the gestational age (2 fingerbreadths above the umbilicus, which would be larger than expected for a 5-month pregnancy) and the absence of a detectable fetal heartbeat. These are classic indicators of a hydatidiform mole.

In a hydatidiform mole, the trophoblasts (cells that normally develop into the placenta) proliferate abnormally, resulting in the formation of a mass of cysts that resembles a cluster of grapes. The uterus enlarges rapidly, often more than expected for the gestational age, and the absence of a fetal heartbeat further supports the diagnosis since there is no viable fetus present in most cases.

Imagine you planted a seed in a garden expecting it to grow into a plant, but instead, it grows into a large, tangled mass of roots with no leaves or flowers. This mass takes up more space than a normal plant would, which is like how a molar pregnancy causes the uterus to grow larger than expected without a developing fetus.

Nurses should monitor for signs of complications, such as excessive vaginal bleeding or preeclampsia, which can be associated with hydatidiform mole. The patient will likely need a D&C (dilation and curettage) to remove the abnormal tissue, and close follow-up is essential to monitor for potential malignant transformation into choriocarcinoma, a rare but serious condition.

• Educate the patient about the condition and the need for close monitoring, including follow-up of hCG levels to ensure they return to normal.
• Provide emotional support, as the diagnosis can be distressing for the patient who may have expected a normal pregnancy.
• Prepare the patient for possible surgical intervention (D&C) and discuss the importance of follow-up care to detect any complications early.

✘Incorrect answer options:

Missed abortion. While a missed abortion (in which the fetus has died but is retained in the uterus) could explain the absence of a fetal heartbeat, it does not typically cause the uterus to enlarge more than expected for gestational age. Missed abortion usually presents with a smaller or appropriate-sized uterus for the gestational age, unlike the enlarged uterus noted here.

Pelvic inflammatory disease. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs, often caused by sexually transmitted infections. While it can cause abdominal pain and tenderness, it does not cause the uterus to enlarge or mimic pregnancy, nor is it associated with an absence of a fetal heartbeat.

Ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tube. It would not present with an enlarged uterus since the pregnancy is not located within the uterine cavity. Additionally, an ectopic pregnancy is usually detected earlier in gestation due to severe pain or bleeding and would not be associated with a large fundal height as described.

EXPLANATION

✔Correct answer:

Complete. The term complete abortion best describes the situation where all the products of conception (including the fetus and placental tissue) have been expelled from the uterus. In a complete abortion, the uterus is empty, bleeding typically subsides, and the cervix closes. This type of miscarriage usually requires no further medical intervention unless there is significant bleeding or signs of infection.

A complete abortion signifies that the body has successfully expelled all pregnancy tissue, leading to the resolution of pregnancy symptoms like cramping and bleeding. The cervix will generally close once the uterus is empty, and the risk of complications is minimal compared to other types of miscarriage.

Think of a complete abortion like a book that has reached its final chapter and all the pages have been read. There are no more pages left to turn (no more tissue to expel), so the story is over (the miscarriage is complete).

In the case of a complete abortion, nursing care should focus on providing emotional support, ensuring the patient understands the situation, and offering guidance on when to seek further medical care if complications like heavy bleeding or signs of infection arise. The patient should also be educated on self-care during recovery and the importance of follow-up visits with their healthcare provider.

✘Incorrect answer options:

Inevitable. An inevitable abortion refers to a miscarriage that is in progress and cannot be stopped, characterized by symptoms such as heavy bleeding and an open cervix. In this scenario, not all the pregnancy tissue has necessarily been expelled, making "inevitable" an incorrect term for this situation.

Threatened. A threatened abortion is when there is vaginal bleeding and cramping with a closed cervix, but the pregnancy is still viable at the time of assessment. This does not apply to a situation where all the pregnancy tissue has already been expelled.

Habitual. Habitual abortion refers to the occurrence of three or more consecutive miscarriages. This term does not describe a single event where all products of conception have been expelled.

Missed. A missed abortion occurs when the fetus has died, but the pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus, often without symptoms such as bleeding or cramping. Since all tissue has been expelled in the described scenario, "missed" is not the correct term.

EXPLANATION

✔Correct answer:

Incomplete. The term incomplete abortion best describes the condition in which some of the pregnancy tissue has been expelled, but the placenta remains attached, leading to continued symptoms of heavy bleeding and cramping. In an incomplete abortion, the process of miscarriage has started, but it is not yet complete because not all the products of conception have been expelled from the uterus. This condition often requires medical intervention, such as a dilation and curettage (D&C), to remove the remaining tissue and stop the symptoms.

During an incomplete abortion, the retained placental tissue within the uterus causes the uterus to contract and bleed, trying to expel the remaining tissue. This can lead to significant hemorrhage and pain, which can be life-threatening if not managed promptly.

Think of an incomplete abortion like trying to remove all the water from a leaky bucket. You've emptied most of it (expelled some pregnancy tissue), but there's still water left (retained placenta). Until all the water is out, the leak (bleeding and cramping) won't stop.

In cases of incomplete abortion, the nurse's role includes monitoring vital signs, assessing the amount of bleeding, providing emotional support, and preparing the patient for potential medical or surgical management. Education on signs of infection or further complications is also essential as part of discharge instructions.

✘Incorrect answer options:

Habitual. This term refers to recurrent pregnancy loss, typically defined as three or more consecutive miscarriages. It does not describe a single event where tissue remains in the uterus.

Missed. A missed abortion is when the fetus has died, but the body has not expelled the pregnancy tissue, often leading to no symptoms such as bleeding or cramping. This does not fit the description provided in the scenario, where there has been heavy bleeding and tissue expulsion.

Complete. A complete abortion is when all the products of conception have been expelled from the uterus. In this case, since the placenta remains attached, the abortion is not complete.

Threatened. A threatened abortion involves vaginal bleeding and cramping with a closed cervix and no expulsion of pregnancy tissue. This is not applicable here as the patient has already expelled some tissue.

EXPLANATION

✔Correct answer:

Threatened. The most appropriate term for the patient's condition, given the symptoms of bleeding and cramping in early pregnancy with a closed cervix and intact membranes, is threatened abortion (or threatened miscarriage). This condition refers to a situation where there is vaginal bleeding during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, but the cervix remains closed and there are no signs of actual miscarriage, such as the expulsion of fetal tissue. The pregnancy may continue despite these symptoms, but the presence of bleeding and cramping raises concerns.

In a threatened abortion, the source of bleeding could be from the decidua (the lining of the uterus during pregnancy), but the cervix remains closed, meaning that the pregnancy has not yet progressed to an inevitable or complete miscarriage. With appropriate medical management, many pregnancies affected by a threatened abortion may continue to term.

Think of a threatened miscarriage as a "warning light" on a car dashboard during a road trip. The light (bleeding) indicates something might be wrong, but the car (pregnancy) is still running. It doesn't mean the trip (pregnancy) is over, but caution and attention are needed.

In managing a threatened abortion, nurses should provide patient education on activity restrictions, the importance of follow-up visits, and when to seek immediate medical attention (e.g., if bleeding increases, severe pain occurs, or there is passage of tissue). Emotional support is also crucial as the patient may experience anxiety and fear regarding the pregnancy's outcome.

✘Incorrect answer options:

Complete. This term refers to a miscarriage where all the products of conception have been expelled from the uterus. The cervix would typically be open during or after the process, not closed as in this case.

Inevitable. This term is used when a miscarriage is in progress and cannot be stopped, usually characterized by an open cervix, along with more significant bleeding and cramping. In the scenario described, the cervix is closed, so this option is incorrect.

Habitual. Habitual abortion, also known as recurrent pregnancy loss, refers to the occurrence of three or more consecutive miscarriages. This term does not apply to the current single instance of bleeding in early pregnancy.

Missed. A missed abortion refers to a situation where the fetus has died, but the products of conception have not been expelled, and there may be no immediate symptoms like bleeding or cramping. In the scenario described, the patient is experiencing bleeding and cramping, making "missed" an incorrect term.

EXPLANATION

✔Correct answer:

Missed. The term missed abortion refers to a condition where the embryo or fetus has died in utero but has not been expelled by the body. This situation is often discovered during a routine ultrasound or when fetal heart tones (FHT) are not detected. The pregnancy tissue remains inside the uterus, and the cervix remains closed. If a missed abortion is not managed within a reasonable timeframe (typically 4-6 weeks), it can lead to serious complications such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) or infections, including sepsis.

In a missed abortion, the body does not recognize that the pregnancy has ended, so the uterine tissue remains, and there is no bleeding or cramping as seen in other types of miscarriage. Over time, the retained tissue can cause coagulopathy issues, leading to DIC, where widespread clotting in the blood vessels occurs, followed by severe bleeding.

Imagine a broken clock that still shows the time but no longer ticks. It's as if time has stopped, but nothing has changed visibly on the surface. In a missed abortion, the pregnancy is no longer viable, but the body hasn't recognized it, so there are no immediate signs like bleeding or cramping.

Management of a missed abortion often involves medical or surgical intervention to remove the nonviable pregnancy tissue. This can include administering medication such as misoprostol to induce uterine contractions or performing a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure. The nurse's role includes providing emotional support, educating the patient on the importance of follow-up care, and monitoring for signs of complications such as infection or excessive bleeding.

✘Incorrect answer options:

Habitual. Habitual abortion refers to the occurrence of three or more consecutive miscarriages. This term is unrelated to a single event of fetal demise without expulsion.

Incomplete. An incomplete abortion occurs when part of the pregnancy tissue is expelled, but some remains in the uterus, leading to continued symptoms like bleeding and cramping. This does not describe the absence of symptoms seen in a missed abortion.

Inevitable. An inevitable abortion refers to a miscarriage that cannot be prevented, characterized by heavy bleeding, cramping, and an open cervix, indicating that the pregnancy is in the process of being lost. This differs from a missed abortion, where the cervix remains closed and no tissue has been expelled.

Threatened. A threatened abortion involves vaginal bleeding with a closed cervix in early pregnancy, but the fetus is still viable at the time of the assessment. This term does not apply to a case where the fetus has died but has not been expelled.

EXPLANATION

✔Correct answer:

Abruptio placentae. Abruptio placentae, or placental abruption, is the most likely cause of vaginal bleeding in a patient who is 37 weeks pregnant and has recently used cocaine. Placental abruption occurs when the placenta partially or completely detaches from the uterine wall before delivery, leading to significant bleeding and potential harm to both the mother and the fetus. Cocaine use is a known risk factor for placental abruption because it causes vasoconstriction, leading to compromised blood flow to the placenta, which can trigger premature separation.

The placenta is essential for providing oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. When it prematurely detaches from the uterine wall, the blood vessels that supply the placenta are torn, leading to bleeding. The severity of this bleeding depends on the extent of the detachment and can range from mild to life-threatening. In addition to vaginal bleeding, symptoms of placental abruption may include abdominal pain, uterine tenderness, and fetal distress.

Imagine a tree (the placenta) with roots (blood vessels) firmly planted in the soil (uterine wall). If you suddenly pull the tree up, the roots tear, causing soil to scatter (bleeding). In the same way, when the placenta detaches prematurely, blood vessels rupture, leading to bleeding.

Placental abruption is a medical emergency. Immediate interventions include continuous monitoring of fetal heart tones, assessing maternal vital signs, and preparing for potential emergency delivery if the condition worsens. The nurse should also assess the amount and nature of the bleeding, as well as provide emotional support to the patient.

• Prepare for potential emergency interventions, including possible cesarean delivery, depending on the severity of the abruption.
• Monitor the patient closely for signs of hypovolemic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), both of which are potential complications of severe placental abruption.
• Educate the patient on the risks of substance abuse during pregnancy and provide resources for addiction support and management.
• Ensure that the patient receives appropriate pain management and psychological support due to the traumatic nature of the event.

✘Incorrect answer options:

Placenta previa. Placenta previa occurs when the placenta implants low in the uterus, covering part or all of the cervix. While placenta previa can cause painless vaginal bleeding, it is not typically associated with acute events like cocaine use. The bleeding in placenta previa is usually bright red and painless, unlike the painful and abrupt nature of placental abruption.

Ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tube. Ectopic pregnancies typically present early in pregnancy, not at 37 weeks. Therefore, this diagnosis is not relevant to a patient who is already at term.

Spontaneous abortion. Spontaneous abortion, or miscarriage, refers to the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks of gestation. Since this patient is 37 weeks pregnant, a spontaneous abortion is not a plausible cause of the vaginal bleeding.

EXPLANATION

✔Correct answer:

Administration of dinoprostone (Prostin E). Dinoprostone is a prostaglandin commonly used to induce labor by softening and dilating the cervix and promoting uterine contractions. In cases of missed abortion at 29 weeks of pregnancy, the priority is to safely expel the fetal tissue to prevent complications such as infection or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Dinoprostone is appropriate in this scenario because it effectively prepares the cervix and stimulates the uterus to expel the nonviable fetus, mimicking the natural labor process.

A missed abortion occurs when the fetus has died but remains in the uterus. At 29 weeks, this retained fetal tissue can pose significant risks to the mother's health if not expelled. Prostaglandins like dinoprostone facilitate the cervix's ripening and initiate uterine contractions, leading to the eventual delivery of the fetus and placental tissue, thereby helping to prevent further complications.

Think of the uterus as a room with a door (the cervix) that needs to be opened to remove unwanted contents. Dinoprostone acts like a key that unlocks the door and helps to push out the contents safely and effectively.

Nurses should closely monitor the patient throughout the administration of dinoprostone and during labor induction to ensure safety and address any complications.

• Monitor the patient for signs of labor, including the onset of uterine contractions and cervical changes.
• Observe for potential side effects of dinoprostone, such as hyperstimulation of the uterus, which could lead to complications like uterine rupture.
• Provide emotional support to the patient, acknowledging the psychological impact of the loss.
• Prepare for potential delivery and subsequent care of the patient post-expulsion.

✘Incorrect answer options:

Administration of magnesium sulfate. Magnesium sulfate is primarily used to manage preeclampsia or eclampsia by preventing seizures and lowering blood pressure. It is not indicated for the management of missed abortion or for inducing labor.

Use of calcium gluconate. Calcium gluconate is an antidote used to counteract magnesium sulfate toxicity, especially in cases of magnesium overdose leading to respiratory depression or cardiac issues. It is not relevant to the management of a missed abortion.

Use of bromocriptine (Parlodel). Bromocriptine is used to inhibit lactation and manage hyperprolactinemia. It has no role in the management of missed abortion or labor induction.