ATI Maternal Newborn Proctored Exam Latest Update Related

Review ATI Maternal Newborn Proctored Exam Latest Update related questions and content

Which of the following are probable signs, strongly indicating pregnancy?

  • A. The presence of fetal heart sounds is a positive sign of pregnancy; quickening is a presumptive sign of pregnancy.
  • B. These are presumptive signs. They may indicate pregnancy or they may be caused by other conditions, such as disease processes.
  • C. Hegar’s sign is a softening of the lower uterine segment, and Chadwick's sign is the bluish or purplish color of the cervix as a result of the increased blood supply and increased estrogen. Ballottement occurs when the cervix is tapped by an examiner's finger and the fetus floats upward in the amniotic fluid and then falls downward.
  • D. These are presumptive signs that might indicate pregnancy, but they might be caused by other conditions, such as disease processes.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because Hegar's sign and Chadwick's sign are considered probable signs of pregnancy. Hegar's sign indicates softening of the lower uterine segment, a physiological change that typically occurs in pregnancy. Chadwick's sign refers to the bluish or purplish color of the cervix due to increased blood supply and estrogen levels in pregnancy. These signs are more specific to pregnancy compared to presumptive signs like quickening, which can be caused by other conditions. Ballottement is a technique used to assess fetal movement and position, not a sign indicating pregnancy certainty. Therefore, choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they refer to presumptive signs or signs that could be caused by conditions other than pregnancy.