A woman who is pregnant for the first time is called:?

Appeared in: SGPGI Nursing Officer-2022

Explanation

The term 'Primigravida' is used to describe a woman who is pregnant for the first time.
The word is derived from Latin roots: 'primi' meaning first, and 'gravida' meaning pregnant.
This term specifically refers to the state of being pregnant for the first time, irrespective of the pregnancy's outcome.

Option A: Primipara refers to a woman who has given birth once to a fetus of at least 20 weeks gestation. The question asks about a first-time pregnancy, not a first-time birth.
Option C: Nullipara refers to a woman who has never completed a pregnancy beyond 20 weeks of gestation. This is the opposite of the woman described in the question.
Option D: Multipara refers to a woman who has completed two or more pregnancies to 20 weeks of gestation or more. The question specifies a first-time pregnancy.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Obstetrical terminology related to pregnancy history as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Accurate use of obstetrical terminology like primigravida is crucial for clear communication among healthcare providers.
A woman's gravidity and parity (often documented using the GTPAL system) are fundamental parts of her medical history, helping to assess risks for the current pregnancy, such as pre-eclampsia, which is more common in primigravidas.
Understanding this terminology is essential for nurses to correctly interpret patient records, plan appropriate antenatal care, and anticipate potential labor and delivery complications.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'pregnant' and 'first time'.
Break down the provided options into their root words to understand their meanings.
Recall or look up the definitions of 'gravida' (related to pregnancy) and 'para' (related to birth).
Analyze the prefixes: 'primi-' (first), 'nulli-' (none), and 'multi-' (many).
Combine the prefix 'primi-' (first) with the root 'gravida' (pregnant) to form 'primigravida', which means first pregnancy.
Compare this with the other options to confirm it is the most accurate term. 'Primipara' relates to the first birth, 'Nullipara' to no births, and 'Multipara' to multiple births.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Obstetrical terminology related to pregnancy history.
Stem keywords: woman, pregnant, first time
Lead-in keywords: is called
Clinical cues: Age/sex group narrows the expected diagnosis, intervention, or normal reference range.
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 Obstetrics Williams p. 71-95

Practise the full SGPGI Nursing Officer-2022

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