A sign of pregnancy consisting of a dark bluish or purplish-violet color of the vaginal or cervical mucosa as a result of increased blood supply to the area, is known as?

Appeared in: NORCET 2 - 2021 (shift-1)

Explanation

Chadwick's sign is the characteristic bluish or purplish discoloration of the vaginal and cervical mucosa.
This color change is caused by hyperemia, which is an increase in blood flow and venous congestion in the pelvic vessels due to hormonal changes in early pregnancy.
It is considered a probable sign of pregnancy and typically appears around the 6th to 8th week of gestation.

Option B: This is a palpable sign, specifically the increased pulsation of the uterine arteries felt in the lateral vaginal fornices, not a visual color change.
Option C: This is the softening and compressibility of the lower uterine segment (the isthmus), which is a change in uterine consistency, not a color change of the mucosa.
Option D: This refers to the softening of the cervix itself, a change in texture (feeling like lips rather than the tip of the nose), not a change in color.

Visual 1: Illustration - A comparison of a non-pregnant cervix (pink) and a pregnant cervix exhibiting Chadwick's sign (bluish-purple) to clearly show the color change.
Visual 2: Table - A summary table differentiating the probable signs of pregnancy (Chadwick's, Goodell's, Hegar's, Osiander's) by description and timing.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Probable Signs of Early Pregnancy helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Recognizing these probable signs of pregnancy is a fundamental skill during the initial antenatal assessment, prompting the nurse to proceed with confirmatory tests like hCG levels or an ultrasound.
It is crucial for nurses to understand that these signs are not definitive proof of pregnancy, as other conditions like pelvic congestion or tumors can cause similar findings.
What if? If a non-pregnant patient presents with a bluish cervix, the nurse should consider other causes of pelvic vascular congestion, such as a pelvic tumor or chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, and ensure the patient is evaluated further.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key clinical finding in the question stem: 'dark bluish or purplish-violet color' of the vaginal/cervical mucosa.
This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of the specific eponyms used for signs of pregnancy.
Systematically review the definitions of the four options provided.
Match the visual sign (color change) with the correct term. Chadwick's sign is the color change.
Differentiate it from the other signs: Goodell's and Hegar's signs relate to softening (a palpable change), and Osiander's sign relates to pulsation (also a palpable change).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Probable Signs of Early Pregnancy
Stem keywords: sign of pregnancy, dark bluish, purplish-violet color, vaginal mucosa, cervical mucosa, increased blood supply
Lead-in keywords: is known as

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Practise the full NORCET 2 - 2021 (shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.