A primigravida patient asks the nurse to explain the term quickening. Which statement by the nurse is correct?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because quickening refers to the first time a mother feels fetal movements, usually around 18-20 weeks gestation. This marks the beginning of fetal movements that the mother can perceive. A is incorrect because intermittent uterine contractions are not referred to as quickening. B is incorrect as it describes amenorrhea, not quickening. D is incorrect as an increase in vaginal discharge is not the definition of quickening.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: pelvic dystocia. Prominent ischial spines indicate a contracted pelvis, which can obstruct the baby's passage during labor, leading to pelvic dystocia. Pelvic dystocia involves the bony pelvis causing difficulty in the descent of the fetus. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because fetal dystocia refers to issues related to the fetus, contraction dystocia involves ineffective contractions, and uterine dystocia pertains to abnormalities of the uterus itself, none of which are indicated by prominent ischial spines.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Amniotomy can cause chorioamnionitis, as the procedure involves breaking the amniotic sac which increases the risk of introducing bacteria into the uterus. This can lead to infection of the fetal membranes, causing chorioamnionitis. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as amniotomy does not directly cause a six-hour decrease of labor, elevated blood pressure, or second stage labor dystocia.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: polyhydramnios. Polyhydramnios is a condition characterized by an excessive amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus. This can occur due to various reasons such as fetal malformations, multiple gestations, or maternal diabetes. The excess fluid can lead to complications such as preterm labor or fetal malpresentation. A: Amniotic fluid embolism is a rare and life-threatening condition where amniotic fluid enters the maternal bloodstream, causing an allergic reaction. B: Gestational diabetes is a condition where high blood sugar levels develop during pregnancy, but it is not directly related to the amount of amniotic fluid. C: Oligohydramnios is the opposite of polyhydramnios, characterized by a deficiency of amniotic fluid, which can also lead to complications.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: macrosomia. Gestational diabetes can lead to fetal macrosomia, where the baby is larger than average, increasing the risk of complications during labor such as shoulder dystocia. This is due to the excess glucose crossing the placenta and stimulating the baby's pancreas to produce more insulin, resulting in increased growth. Choice A, breech presentation, is not directly associated with gestational diabetes. Choice C is a duplicate of the correct answer. Choice D, precipitous birth, is not a common complication of gestational diabetes but rather refers to an extremely rapid labor process.