A 31-year-old woman believes that she may be pregnant. She took an OTC pregnancy test 1 week ago after missing her period; the test was positive. During her assessment interview, the nurse enquires about the woman’s last menstrual period and asks whether she is taking any medications. The woman states that she takes medicine for epilepsy. She has been under considerable stress lately at work and has not been sleeping well. She also has a history of irregular periods. Her physical examination does not indicate that she is pregnant. She has an ultrasound scan that reveals she is not pregnant. What is the most likely cause of the false-positive pregnancy test result?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: She takes anticonvulsants. Anticonvulsants can interfere with pregnancy test results by causing false-positive results. Here's a step-by-step rationale: 1. Anticonvulsants, such as phenytoin and phenobarbital, contain hCG-like substances that can cross-react with pregnancy tests, leading to false-positive results. 2. The woman's history of epilepsy medication use suggests that she may be taking anticonvulsants, which could be the reason for the false-positive pregnancy test result. 3. Other choices are incorrect: A: Taking the test too early is unlikely since a week has passed since the missed period. C: Fibroid tumors do not typically cause false-positive pregnancy test results. D: Stress and hormone imbalance could impact menstrual cycles but are less likely to directly affect pregnancy test results.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because during pregnancy, the enlarging uterus pushes the appendix downward and laterally, making it low and to the right. This displacement can lead to atypical presentation of appendicitis symptoms. Choices A and B are incorrect as the appendix is not displaced high and to either side. Choice C is incorrect as the McBurney point is a specific location for appendicitis pain but does not describe the actual position of the appendix during pregnancy.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Full Term-Pregnancy from the beginning of week 39 of gestation to the end of week 40. This is accurate because full-term pregnancy typically ranges from 39 to 40 weeks of gestation, which is considered the optimal time for a baby to be born in terms of development and health. Viability (Choice A) refers to the ability of a fetus to survive outside the womb and typically occurs between 22 to 37 weeks. Preterm (Choice C) describes a pregnancy that occurs before 37 weeks. Postdate (Choice D) refers to a pregnancy that extends beyond 40 weeks. Therefore, Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not accurately describe the full-term stage of pregnancy.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Increased urinary frequency in the first trimester is due to exaggerated uterine anteflexion caused by softening. This is because the growing uterus exerts pressure on the bladder, leading to the need for more frequent urination. This is a common physiological change in early pregnancy due to the hormonal effects on the pelvic floor muscles and bladder capacity. A: Lightening typically occurs near the end of the third trimester, not the second trimester, as the baby drops lower into the pelvis in preparation for birth. C: Braxton Hicks contractions are typically painless and irregular in the third trimester, not more painful. Pain with exercise could indicate preterm labor. D: Uterine souffle refers to the sound of blood flow through the uterine arteries, not movement of the fetus.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: operculum. The mucous plug in the endocervical canal is called the operculum because it acts as a protective barrier to prevent pathogens from entering the uterus during pregnancy. This plug seals the cervix to protect the developing fetus. The other choices are incorrect because leukorrhea (choice B) refers to vaginal discharge, funic souffle (choice C) is a term related to fetal heart sounds, and ballottement (choice D) is a physical examination technique used to assess for floating objects in the uterus.