Chapter 07: Anatomy and Physiology
of Pregnancy Perry: Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 6th Edition
1. A woman's obstetric history indicates that she is pregnant for the
fourth time and all of her children from previous pregnancies are living.
One was born at 39 weeks of gestation, twins were born at 34 weeks of
gestation, and another child was born at 35 weeks of gestation. What is
her gravidity and parity using the GTPAL system?
a. 3-1-1-1-3
b. 4-1-2-0-4
c. 3-0-3-0-3
d. 4-2-1-0-3 - Correct Answer ANS: B
The correct calculation of this woman's gravidity and parity is 4-1-2-0-4.
The numbers reflect the woman's gravidity and parity information.
Using the GPTAL system, her information is calculated as:
G: The first number reflects the total number of times the woman has
been pregnant; she is pregnant for the fourth time.
T: This number indicates the number of pregnancies carried to term,
not the number of deliveries at term; only one of her pregnancies has
resulted in a fetus at term.
,Chapter 07: Anatomy and Physiology
of Pregnancy Perry: Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 6th Edition
P: This is the number of pregnancies that resulted in a preterm birth;
the woman has had two pregnancies in which she delivered preterm.
A: This number signifies whether the woman has had any abortions or
miscarriages before the period of viability; she has not.
L: This number signifies the number of children born who are currently
living; the woman has four children.
2. A woman at 10 weeks of gestation who is seen in the prenatal clinic
with presumptive signs and symptoms of pregnancy likely will have:
a. amenorrhea.
b. positive pregnancy test.
c. Chadwick's sign.
d. Hegar's sign. - Correct Answer ANS: A
Amenorrhea is a presumptive sign of pregnancy. Presumptive signs of
pregnancy are felt by the woman. A positive pregnancy test, the
presence of Chadwick's sign, and the presence of Hegar's sign are all
probable signs of pregnancy.
, Chapter 07: Anatomy and Physiology
of Pregnancy Perry: Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 6th Edition
3. The 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. a positive pregnancy test.
b. fetal movement palpated by the nurse-midwife.
c. Braxton Hicks contractions.
d. quickening. - Correct Answer ANS: B
Positive signs of pregnancy are attributed to the presence of a fetus,
such as hearing the fetal heartbeat or palpating fetal movement. A
positive pregnancy test and Braxton Hicks contractions are probable
signs of pregnancy. Quickening is a presumptive sign of pregnancy.
4. A woman is at 14 weeks of gestation. The nurse would expect to
palpate the fundus at which level?
a. Not palpable above the symphysis at this time
of Pregnancy Perry: Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 6th Edition
1. A woman's obstetric history indicates that she is pregnant for the
fourth time and all of her children from previous pregnancies are living.
One was born at 39 weeks of gestation, twins were born at 34 weeks of
gestation, and another child was born at 35 weeks of gestation. What is
her gravidity and parity using the GTPAL system?
a. 3-1-1-1-3
b. 4-1-2-0-4
c. 3-0-3-0-3
d. 4-2-1-0-3 - Correct Answer ANS: B
The correct calculation of this woman's gravidity and parity is 4-1-2-0-4.
The numbers reflect the woman's gravidity and parity information.
Using the GPTAL system, her information is calculated as:
G: The first number reflects the total number of times the woman has
been pregnant; she is pregnant for the fourth time.
T: This number indicates the number of pregnancies carried to term,
not the number of deliveries at term; only one of her pregnancies has
resulted in a fetus at term.
,Chapter 07: Anatomy and Physiology
of Pregnancy Perry: Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 6th Edition
P: This is the number of pregnancies that resulted in a preterm birth;
the woman has had two pregnancies in which she delivered preterm.
A: This number signifies whether the woman has had any abortions or
miscarriages before the period of viability; she has not.
L: This number signifies the number of children born who are currently
living; the woman has four children.
2. A woman at 10 weeks of gestation who is seen in the prenatal clinic
with presumptive signs and symptoms of pregnancy likely will have:
a. amenorrhea.
b. positive pregnancy test.
c. Chadwick's sign.
d. Hegar's sign. - Correct Answer ANS: A
Amenorrhea is a presumptive sign of pregnancy. Presumptive signs of
pregnancy are felt by the woman. A positive pregnancy test, the
presence of Chadwick's sign, and the presence of Hegar's sign are all
probable signs of pregnancy.
, Chapter 07: Anatomy and Physiology
of Pregnancy Perry: Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 6th Edition
3. The 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. a positive pregnancy test.
b. fetal movement palpated by the nurse-midwife.
c. Braxton Hicks contractions.
d. quickening. - Correct Answer ANS: B
Positive signs of pregnancy are attributed to the presence of a fetus,
such as hearing the fetal heartbeat or palpating fetal movement. A
positive pregnancy test and Braxton Hicks contractions are probable
signs of pregnancy. Quickening is a presumptive sign of pregnancy.
4. A woman is at 14 weeks of gestation. The nurse would expect to
palpate the fundus at which level?
a. Not palpable above the symphysis at this time
