Nokea
The nurse is auscultating the fetal heart rate (FHR) on a patient at 37 weeks’ gestation. The nurse notes a line of darkened pigmentation on the pregnant person’s abdomen starting at the symphysis pubis and ending at the sternum. How does the nurse document this finding?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: linea nigra. The linea nigra is a darkened pigmented line that runs from the symphysis pubis to the sternum in pregnant individuals. This line is a normal finding in pregnancy due to hormonal changes. It is important for the nurse to document this finding accurately as it is a common physiological change.
Rationale:
1. Cholasma (A) is also known as the mask of pregnancy, presenting as dark patches on the face.
2. Spider nevi (C) are small, dilated blood vessels on the skin, not related to the linea nigra.
3. Striae gravidarum (D) are stretch marks that occur due to rapid stretching of the skin during pregnancy, not related to the pigmented line.
In summary, the correct answer is B because the darkened line described is characteristic of linea nigra, a common finding in pregnancy, while the other choices are unrelated to this specific observation.