Maternity Evolve Test 2
A woman who is 14 weeks pregnant tells the nurse that she always had a glass of wine with dinner before she became pregnant. She has abstained during her first trimester and would like to know whether it is safe for her to have a drink with dinner now. How should the nurse respond? A. "One drink every night is too much. One drink three times a week should be fine." B. "Because no one knows how much or how little alcohol it takes to cause fetal problems, the best course is to abstain throughout your pregnancy." C. "Because you're in your second trimester, there's no problem with having one drink with dinner." D. "Because you're in your second trimester, you can drink as much as you like."
"Because no one knows how much or how little alcohol it takes to cause fetal problems, the best course is to abstain throughout your pregnancy." Although the consumption of occasional alcoholic beverages may not be harmful to the mother or her developing fetus, complete abstinence is strongly advised. A safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy has not yet been established. The first trimester is a crucial period of fetal development, but pregnant women at all gestations are counseled to eliminate all alcohol from their diet.
An expectant father confides in the nurse that his pregnant wife, at 10 weeks of gestation, is driving him crazy. "One minute she seems happy, and the next minute she is crying over nothing at all. Is there something wrong with her?" What is the nurse's best reponse? A. "This is normal behavior and should begin to subside by the second trimester." B. "This is called emotional lability and is related to hormone changes and anxiety during pregnancy. The mood swings will eventually subside as she adjusts to being pregnant." C. "You seem imclient with her. Perhaps this is precipitating her behavior." D. "She may be having difficulty adjusting to pregnancy; I will refer her to a counselor I know."
"This is called emotional lability and is related to hormone changes and anxiety during pregnancy. The mood swings will eventually subside as she adjusts to being pregnant."The statement in C is the most appropriate response because it gives an explanation and a time frame for when the mood swings may stop. The statement in A is an appropriate response but it does not answer the father's question. Mood swings are a normal finding in the first trimester; the woman does not need counseling. The statement in D is judgmental and not appropriate.
A nurse is assessing a pregnant woman at 10 weeks of gestation who jogs three or four times per week. The client expresses concern about the effect of exercise on the fetus. How should the nurse respond? A. "You don't need to modify your exercising any time during your pregnancy." B. "Jogging is too hard on your joints; switch to walking now." C. "You may find that you need to modify your exercise to walking later in your pregnancy, around the seventh month." D. "Stop exercising, because it will harm the fetus."
"You may find that you need to modify your exercise to walking later in your pregnancy, around the seventh month." The nurse should inform the woman that she may need to reduce her exercise level as the pregnancy progresses. Typically, running should be replaced with walking around the seventh month of pregnancy. Physical activity promotes a feeling of well-being in pregnant women. It improves circulation, promotes relaxation and rest, and counteracts boredom. Simple measures should be initiated to prevent injuries, such as warm-up and stretching exercises, to prepare the joints for more strenuous exercise.
A woman is 6 weeks pregnant. She has had a previous spontaneous abortion at 14 weeks of gestation and a pregnancy that ended at 38 weeks with the birth of a stillborn girl. How would the nurse document her gravidity and parity according to the GTPAL system? A. 2-1-0-1-0 B. 2-0-0-1-1 C. 3-1-0-1-0 D. 3-0-1-1-0
3-1-0-1-0 According to the GPTAL system, this woman's gravidity and parity information is calculated as follows:G: Total number of times the woman has been pregnant (she is pregnant for the third time)T: Number of pregnancies carried to term (only one pregnancy resulted in a fetus at term)P: Number of pregnancies that resulted in a preterm birth (none)A: Abortions or miscarriages before the period of viability (she has had one)L: Number of children born who are currently living (she has no living children)3-1-0-1-0 is the correct calculation of this woman's gravidity and parity.
A nurse is monitoring lab results for a client in the third trimester of pregancy. Which hematocrit (HCT) and hemoglobin (HGB) results should the nurse identify as being the lowest acceptable value? A. 32% HCT; 10.5 g/dL HGB B. 35% HCT; 13 g/dL HGB C. 38% HCT; 14 g/dL HGB D. 33% HCT; 11 g/dL HGB
33% HCT; 11 g/dL HGB 38% HCT; 14 g/dL HGB and 35% HCT; 13 g/dL HGB are within normal limits in a nonpregnant woman. 33% HCT; 11 g/dL HGB represents the lowest acceptable values during the first and the third trimesters, and 32% HCT; 10.5 g/dl HGB represents the lowest acceptable values for the second trimester, when the hemodilution effect of blood volume expansion is at its peak.
The nurse is reviewing danger signs of pregnancy with a client who is 32 weeks pregnant. What information should the nurse tell the client to observe for? A. Edema in the ankles and feet at the end of the day B. Alteration in the pattern of fetal movement C. Constipation D. Heart palpitations
Alteration in the pattern of fetal movement An alteration in the pattern or amount of fetal movement may indicate fetal jeopardy. Constipation is a normal discomfort of pregnancy that occurs in the second and third trimesters. Heart palpitations are a normal change related to pregnancy; they are most likely to occur during the second and third trimesters. As the pregnancy progresses, edema in the ankles and feet at the end of the day is not uncommon.
A nurse is reviewing maternal nutritional needs during lactation. Which statement should the nurse identify as being accurate? Critical iron and folic acid levels must be maintained. The mother's intake of vitamin C, zinc, and protein now can be lower than during pregnancy. Caffeine consumed by the mother accumulates in the infant, who therefore may be unusually active and wakeful. Lactating women can go back to their prepregnant calorie intake.
Caffeine consumed by the mother accumulates in the infant, who therefore may be unusually active and wakeful. A lactating woman needs to avoid consuming too much caffeine. Vitamin C, zinc, and protein levels need to be moderately higher during lactation than during pregnancy. The recommendations for iron and folic acid are somewhat lower during lactation. Lactating women should consume about 500 kcal more than their prepregnancy intake, at least 1800 kcal daily overall.
A group of maternity nurses are providing education to pregnant clients about changes in blood pressure. What information should the nurses include? A. Compression of the iliac veins and inferior vena cava by the uterus contributes to hemorrhoids in the later stage of term pregnancy. B. The systolic blood pressure increases slightly as pregnancy advances; the diastolic pressure remains constant. C. Shifting the client's position and changing from arm to arm for different measurements produces the most accurate composite blood pressure reading at each visit. D. A blood pressure cuff that is too small produces a reading that is too low; a cuff that is too large produces a reading that is too high.
Compression of the iliac veins and inferior vena cava by the uterus contributes to hemorrhoids in the later stage of term pregnancy. In addition to hemorrhoids, compression of the iliac veins and inferior vena cava by the uterus also leads to varicose veins in the legs and vulva. The tightness of a cuff that is too small produces a reading that is too high; similarly, the looseness of a cuff that is too large results in a reading that is too low. Because maternal positioning affects readings, each blood pressure measurement should be obtained in the same arm and with the woman in the same position. The systolic blood pressure generally remains constant but may decline slightly as pregnancy advances. The diastolic blood pressure first drops and then gradually increases.
A maternity nurse is counseling a pregnant client about getting enough iron in her diet. What information should the nurse provide? Iron supplements are permissible for children in small doses. Iron absorption is inhibited by a diet rich in vitamin C. Constipation is common with iron supplements. Milk, coffee, and tea aid iron absorption if consumed at the same time as iron.
Constipation is common with iron supplements. Constipation can be a problem with iron supplements. Milk, coffee, and tea actually inhibit iron absorption when consumed at the same time as iron. Vitamin C promotes iron absorption. Children who ingest iron can get very sick and even die.
A nurse observes a pregnant woman experiencing nausea and vomiting. What intervention should the nurse suggest to the client? Limit fluid intake throughout the day. Increase her intake of high-fat foods to keep the stomach full and coated. Eat small, frequent meals (every 2 to 3 hours). Drink a glass of water with a fat-free carbohydrate before getting out of bed in the morning.
Eat small, frequent meals (every 2 to 3 hours). Eating small, frequent meals is a correct suggestion for a pregnant woman experiencing nausea and vomiting. She should avoid consuming fluids early in the day or when nauseated, but should compensate by drinking fluids at other times. She should also reduce her intake of fried foods and other fatty foods.
The nurse has given information about relief of leg cramps to a pregnant client. Which client action if observed by the nurse indicates that the client has understood the instructions? A. Applies cold compresses to the affected leg. B. Avoids weight bearing on the affected leg during the cramp. C. Wiggles and points her toes during the cramp. D. Extends her leg and dorsiflexes her foot during the cramp.
Extends her leg and dorsiflexes her foot during the cramp. Extending the leg and dorsiflexing the foot are the appropriate relief measure for a leg cramp. Pointing the toes can aggravate rather than relieve the cramp. Application of heat is recommended. Bearing weight on the affected leg can help relieve the leg cramp, so it should not be avoided.
A nurse teaches a pregnant woman about the presumptive, probable, and positive signs of pregnancy. The woman demonstrates understanding of the nurse's instructions if she states that a positive sign of pregnancy is: A. Fetal movement palpated by the nurse-midwife. B. Braxton Hicks contractions. C. Quickening. D. A positive pregnancy test result.
Fetal movement palpated by the nurse-midwife. Positive signs of pregnancy are those that are attributed to the presence of a fetus, such as hearing the fetal heartbeat and palpating fetal movement. A positive pregnancy test result and Braxton Hicks contractions are probable signs of pregnancy. Quickening is a presumptive sign of pregnancy.
A nurse is reviewing presumptive and probable signs of pregnancy. Which finding should the nurse identify as not being correlated to a possible etiology? A. Amenorrhea stress, endocrine problems B. Quickening gas, peristalsis C. Goodell sign cervical polyps D. Chadwick sign pelvic congestion
Goodell sign cervical polyps Goodell sign might be the result of pelvic congestion, not polyps. Amenorrhea sometimes can be caused by stress, vigorous exercise, early menopause, or endocrine problems. Quickening can be gas or peristalsis. Chadwick sign might be the result of pelvic congestion.
During a client's physical examination, the nurse notes that the lower uterine segment is soft on palpation. How should the nurse document this finding? A. Chadwick sign. B. McDonald sign. C. Hegar sign. D. Goodell sign.
Hegar sign. At approximately 6 weeks of gestation, softening and compressibility of the lower uterine segment occur; this is called the Hegar sign. The Chadwick sign is a blue-violet cervix caused by increased vascularity; it is seen around the fourth week of gestation. Softening of the cervical tip, which may be observed around the sixth week of pregnancy, is called the Goodell sign. (The McDonald's sign indicates a fast-food restaurant.)
A nurse is working with a pregnant client and providing information about weight gain. Which suggestion should the nurse identify as not being appropriate? Obese women should gain at least 7 kg. Adolescents are encouraged to strive for weight gains at the upper end of the recommended scale. Underweight women should gain 12.5 to 18 kg. In twin gestations, the weight gain recommended for a single fetus pregnancy should simply be doubled.
In twin gestations, the weight gain recommended for a single fetus pregnancy should simply be doubled. Women bearing twins need to gain more weight (usually 16 to 20 kg) but not necessarily twice as much. Underweight women need to gain the most. Obese women need to gain weight during pregnancy to equal the weight of the products of conception. Adolescents are still growing; therefore, their bodies naturally compete for nutrients with the fetus.
A group of student nurses are reviewing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels as it relates to pregnancy. Which finding if observed by the student nurses would indicate a potential problem? A. Expected peak between 60 and 70 days into the pregnancy B. Increased plasma levels in correlation to expected gestational age C. Increase in levels 7 to 8 days after implantation D. Decrease in plasma levels at the end of pregnancy
Increased plasma levels in correlation to expected gestational age A substantial incresae in plasma levels that is inconsitent with gestational age indicates presence of genetic disorders and/or malformations and as such should warrant further investigatoin. Following implantation, one would expect to see an increase in levels up to 7 to 8 days. Decreases in plasma levels are seen during the end of pregnancy, with the peak seen between 60 and 70 days, and then the lowest levels at about 100 to 130 days gestation.
A nurse is reviewing cardiovascular system changes that occur during pregnancy. Which finding would the nurse consider to be normal for a woman in her second trimester? A. Less audible heart sounds (S1, S2) B. Increased pulse rate C. Increased blood pressure D. Decreased red blood cell (RBC) production
Increased pulse rate Between 14 and 20 weeks of gestation, the pulse increases about 10 to 15 beats/min, which persists to term. Splitting of S1 and S2 is more audible. In the first trimester blood pressure usually remains the same as the prepregnancy level, but it gradually decreases up to about 20 weeks of gestation. During the second trimester both the systolic and diastolic pressures decrease by about 5 to 10 mm Hg. Production of RBCs accelerates during pregnancy.
An expectant couple asks the nurse about intercourse during pregnancy and whether it is safe for the baby. How should the nurse respond? A. Intercourse is safe until the third trimester. B. Intercourse and orgasm are often contraindicated if a history or signs of preterm labor are present. C. Safer-sex practices should be used once the membranes rupture. D. Intercourse should be avoided if any spotting from the vagina occurs afterward.
Intercourse and orgasm are often contraindicated if a history or signs of preterm labor are present.Uterine contractions that accompany orgasm can stimulate labor and would be problematic if the woman were at risk for or had a history of preterm labor. Some spotting can normally occur as a result of the increased fragility and vascularity of the cervix and vagina during pregnancy. Intercourse can continue as long as the pregnancy is progressing normally. Safer-sex practices are always recommended; rupture of the membranes may require abstaining from intercourse.
A nurse is reviewing the impact of inadequate weight gain during pregnancy. Which finding should the nurse anticpate as being at highest risk based on inadquate weight gain? Intrauterine growth restriction. Down syndrome. Diabetes mellitus. Spina bifida.
Intrauterine growth restriction. Both normal-weight and underweight women with inadequate weight gain have an increased risk of giving birth to an infant with intrauterine growth restriction. Spina bifida is not associated with inadequate maternal weight gain; an adequate amount of folic acid has been shown to reduce the incidence of this condition. Diabetes mellitus is not related to inadequate weight gain. A mother with gestational diabetes is more likely to give birth to a large-for-gestational age infant. Down syndrome is the result of trisomy 21, not inadequate maternal weight gain.
A nurse is reviewing nutritonal supplementation for pregnant women. Which minerals and vitamins should the nurse identify as being recommended? Iron and folate Fat-soluble vitamins A and D Calcium and zinc Water-soluble vitamins C and B6
Iron and folate Iron generally should be supplemented, and folic acid supplements often are needed because folate is so important. Fat-soluble vitamins should be supplemented as a medical prescription, as vitamin D might be for lactose-intolerant women. Water-soluble vitamin C sometimes is consumed in excess naturally; vitamin B6 is prescribed only if the woman has a very poor diet. Zinc is sometimes supplemented; most women get enough calcium.
A nurse is counseling a pregnant client about protein intake. Which information should the nurse provide? Many women need to increase their protein intake during pregnancy. Many protein-rich foods are also good sources of calcium, iron, and B vitamins. High-protein supplements can be used without risk by women on macrobiotic diets. As with carbohydrates and fat, no specific recommendations exist for the amount of protein in the diet.
Many protein-rich foods are also good sources of calcium, iron, and B vitamins. Good protein sources such as meat, milk, eggs, and cheese have a lot of calcium and iron. Most women already eat a high-protein diet and do not need to increase their intake. Protein is sufficiently important that specific servings of meat and dairy are recommended. High-protein supplements are not recommended because they have been associated with an increased incidence of preterm births.
A nurse is reviewing barriers to prenatal care. What type of cultural concern should the nurse identify as being the mostlikely deterrent? Modesty Ignorance Belief that physicians are evil Religion
Modesty A concern for modesty is a strong deterrent to many women seeking prenatal care; for some women, exposing body parts, especially to a man, is considered a major violation of modesty. There are other deterrents. Even if the prenatal care described is familiar to a woman, some practices may conflict with the beliefs and practices of a subculture group or religion to which she belongs. For many cultural groups a physician is deemed appropriate only in times of illness. Because pregnancy is considered a normal process and the woman is in a state of health, the services of a physician are considered inappropriate. Many cultural variations are found in prenatal care, so ignorance is not likely to be a deterrent to women seeking prenatal care.
A nurse is assessing a pregnant client who has had bariatric surgery. Which assessment factors would pose the highestnutritional concerns for this client based on her surgical history? (Select all that apply.) Select all that apply. Monitoring of iron levels Amount of weight loss that has occurred post procedure. Amount of weight gain during pregnancy Monitoring of calcium levels Monitoring of B vitamins
Monitoring of iron levels Amount of weight gain during pregnancy Monitoring of calcium levels Monitoring of B vitamins The impact of bariatric surgery on pregnancy can be substantial in that surgical procedures can lead to deficiencies of both macro and micro nutrients. It is important to monitor this client with regard to iron levels, B vitamins (folate, vitamin B12), calcium and vitamin D. It is also important to monitor weight gain during pregnancy for these clients are at risk to have preterm and small for gestational age infants. Although, the amount of weight loss is important, it would not be considered to be the highest nutritional concern.
A maternity nurse's role is to help guide a woman's acceptance of pregnancy. What information should the maternity nurse understand related to potential effects of maternal feeling as they relate to acceptance of pregnancy? A. Mood swings are most likely the result of worries about finances and a changed lifestyle, as well as profound hormonal changes. B. Ambivalent feelings during pregnancy are usually seen only in emotionally immature or very young mothers. C. Nonacceptance of the pregnancy very often equates to rejection of the child. D. Conflicts such as not wanting to be pregnant or childrearing and career-related decisions need not be addressed during pregnancy because they will resolve themselves naturally after birth.
Mood swings are most likely the result of worries about finances and a changed lifestyle, as well as profound hormonal changes. Mood swings are natural and are likely to affect every woman to some degree. A woman may dislike being pregnant, refuse to accept it, and still love and accept the child. Ambivalent feelings about pregnancy are normal for mature or immature women, young or older. Conflicts about desire to perform childrearing and career-related concerns, however, need to be resolved; the baby's arrival ends the pregnancy but not all the issues.
With regard to medications, herbs, shots, and other substances normally encountered, the maternity nurse should be aware that during pregnancy: A. The greatest danger of drug-caused developmental deficits in the fetus is seen in the final trimester. B. Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that otherwise are harmless can be made hazardous by metabolic deficiencies of the fetus. C. Killed-virus vaccines (e.g., tetanus) should not be given, but live-virus vaccines (e.g., measles) are permissible. D. No convincing evidence exists that secondhand smoke is potentially dangerous to the fetus.
Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that otherwise are harmless can be made hazardous by metabolic deficiencies of the fetus. The statement in A is especially true for new medications and combinations of drugs. The greatest danger of drug-caused developmental defects exists in the interval from fertilization through the first trimester, when a woman may not realize that she is pregnant. Live-virus vaccines should be part of postpartum care; killed-virus vaccines may be administered during pregnancy. Secondhand smoke is associated with fetal growth restriction and increases in infant mortality.
How would the nurse document a woman who has completed one pregnancy with a fetus (or fetuses) reaching the stage of fetal viability? A. Primipara B. Multipara C. Nulligravida D. Primigravida
Primipara A primipara is a woman who has completed one pregnancy with a viable fetus. To remember terms, keep in mind that gravida is a pregnant woman; para comes from parity, meaning a viable fetus; primi means first; multi means many; and null means none. A primigravida is a woman pregnant for the first time. A multipara is a woman who has completed two or more pregnancies with a viable fetus. A nulligravida is a woman who has never been pregnant.
A nurse is reviewing physical activity pattern for a pregnant woman who reports that she is still playing tennis at 32 weeks of gestation. Which recommendation would be mostimportant relative to nutritonal requirements for an active pregnant woman who exercises? Extra protein sources, such as peanut butter Several glasses of fluid Easily digested sources of carbohydrate Salty foods to replace lost sodium
Several glasses of fluidIf no medical or obstetric problems contraindicate physical activity, pregnant women should get 30 minutes of moderate physical exercise daily. Liberal amounts of fluid should be consumed before, during, and after exercise, because dehydration can trigger premature labor. Also the woman's calorie and carbohydrate intake should be sufficient to meet the increased needs of pregnancy and the demands of exercise. All pregnant women should consume the necessary amount of protein in their diet, regardless of level of activity. Many pregnant women of this gestation tend to retain fluid, possibly contributing to hypertension and swelling. An adequate fluid intake prior to and after exercise should be sufficient without trying to replace sodium.
A nurse is working with a pregnant client. Which behavior if observed by the nurse indicates that a woman is "seeking safe passage" for herself and her infant? She keeps all prenatal appointments. She "eats for two." She wears only low-heeled shoes. She drives her car slowly.
She keeps all prenatal appointments. The goal of prenatal care is to foster a safe birth for the infant and mother. Keeping all prenatal appointments is a good indication that the woman is indeed seeking "safe passage." Eating properly, driving carefully, using proper body mechanics, and wearing appropriate footwear during pregnancy are healthy measures that all pregnant women should take.
Which information should the nurse provide to the woman who wants to have a nurse-midwife provide obstetric care? A. She will have to give birth at home. B. She must see an obstetrician as well as the midwife during pregnancy. C. She must be having a low-risk pregnancy. D. She will not be able to have epidural analgesia for labor pain.
She must be having a low-risk pregnancy. Midwives usually see low-risk obstetric clients. Nurse-midwives must refer clients to physicians for complications. Most nurse-midwife births are managed in hospitals or birth centers; a few may be managed in the home. Nurse-midwives may practice with physicians or independently with an arrangement for physician backup. They must refer clients to physicians for complications, but clients are not required to see an obstetrician otherwise. Care in a midwifery model is noninterventional, and the woman and family usually are encouraged to be active participants in the care; this does not imply that medications for pain control are prohibited.
A maternity nurse is working with a father of a pregnant client to assist with acceptance of the pregnancy and preparation for childbirth. What should the nurse understand related to the father's role in pregnancy? A. In the last 2 months of pregnancy, most expectant fathers suddenly get very protective of their established lifestyle and resist making changes to the home. B. The father goes through three phases of acceptance of his own. C. Typically men remain ambivalent about fatherhood right up to the birth of their child. D. The father's attachment to the fetus cannot be as strong as that of the mother because it does not start until after birth.
The father goes through three phases of acceptance of his own. A father typically goes through three phases of acceptance: accepting the biologic fact, adjusting to the reality, and focusing on his role. Typically, the expectant father's ambivalence ends by the first trimester, and he progresses to adjusting to the reality of the situation and focusing on his role. The father-child attachment can be as strong as the mother-child relationship and can begin during pregnancy. In the last 2 months of pregnancy, many expectant fathers work hard to improve the environment of the home for the child.
A 22-year-old woman pregnant with a single fetus had a preconception body mass index (BMI) of 24. When she was seen in the clinic at 14 weeks of gestation, she had gained 1.8 kg (4 lbs) since conception. How would the nurse interpret this finding? The woman's weight gain is appropriate for this stage of pregnancy. This weight gain indicates possible gestational hypertension. This weight gain indicates that the woman's infant is at risk for intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). This weight gain cannot be evaluated until the woman has been observed for several more weeks.
The woman's weight gain is appropriate for this stage of pregnancy. During the first trimester, the average total weight gain is only 1 to 2.5 kg. The desirable weight gain during pregnancy varies among women. Weight gain should take place throughout the pregnancy. The optimal rate depends on the stage of the pregnancy. The primary factor to consider in making a weight gain recommendation is the appropriateness of the prepregnancy weight for the woman's height. A commonly used method of evaluating the appropriateness of weight for height is the BMI. This woman's BMI is within the normal range, and she has gained the appropriate amount of weight for her size at this point in her pregnancy. Although the statements in A through C are accurate, they do not apply to this client.
Which statement should the nurse identify as not being accurate regarding multifetal pregnancy? A. Twin pregnancies come to term with the same frequency as single pregnancies. B. Backache and varicose veins are often more pronounced. C. The mother should be counseled to increase her nutritional intake and gain more weight. D. The expectant mother often experiences anemia because the fetuses have a greater demand for iron.
Twin pregnancies come to term with the same frequency as single pregnancies. Twin pregnancies often end in prematurity; serious efforts should be made to bring the pregnancy to term. A woman with a multifetal pregnancy often experiences anemia because of the increased demands of two fetuses; this issue should be monitored closely throughout her pregnancy. The client may need nutrition counseling to ensure that she gains more weight than what is needed for a singleton birth. The considerable uterine distention in multifetal pregnancy is likely to cause backache and leg varicosities; maternal support hose should be recommended.
A pregnant client is experiencing some integumentary changes and is concerned that they may represent abnormal findings. Which of the following findings should the nurse provide to the client that would be considered "normal abnormal" findings during pregnancy so that she should not be alarmed? (Select all that apply.) Select all that apply. Superficial thrombophlebitis Facial edema Allodynia Vascular spiders Melasma Linea nigra
Vascular spiders Melasma Linea nigra Facial edema is a concern because it can represent toxemia of pregnancy. Superficial thrombophlebitis is a concern because it can represent a risk factor for development of a DVT during pregnancy. The presentation of allodynia (pain upon normal touch) is considered to be a significant finding and requires additional investigation. Melasma (also known as the mask of pregnancy or chloasma), linea nigra (a hyperpigmentation line extending from the fundus to the symphysis pubis), and the presence of vascular spiders are all considered to be normal abnormal findings in pregnancy.
