Artificial rupture of the fetal membrane is called

BSF Staff Nurse - 2015

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Easy

Appeared in: BSF Staff Nurse - 2015

Explanation

Amniotomy is the correct medical term for the intentional, artificial rupture of the fetal membranes (amniotic sac).
This procedure is typically performed by a healthcare provider using a sterile instrument, such as an amnihook or an amnicot.
The primary goals of amniotomy are to induce labor (start contractions), augment labor (strengthen or speed up contractions), or to allow for internal fetal monitoring.
It is also referred to as Artificial Rupture of Membranes (AROM).

Option A: Angioplasty is a cardiovascular procedure to open blocked or narrowed arteries and is completely unrelated to pregnancy or childbirth.
Option C: 'Vaginally induced' is not a standard medical term for any specific procedure. While some methods of labor induction involve vaginal administration of medication (like prostaglandins), this term does not describe the act of rupturing the membranes.
Option D: Amniocentesis is a diagnostic test where a needle is used to withdraw amniotic fluid for analysis. It involves puncturing the amniotic sac but not deliberately rupturing it to induce labor.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Obstetrical Procedures as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A key nursing responsibility after an amniotomy is to immediately assess the fetal heart rate (FHR) for at least one minute to rule out an umbilical cord prolapse, which is a potential complication.
Nurses must also document the characteristics of the amniotic fluid: Color, Odor, Amount, and Consistency (COAC). Green-stained (meconium) fluid can indicate fetal distress.
What if? If the fetal head is not well-engaged in the pelvis before amniotomy, the risk of umbilical cord prolapse increases significantly. In this emergency situation, the cord can slip down in front of the baby's head and become compressed, cutting off oxygen supply. The nurse's immediate action would be to manually lift the presenting part off the cord and call for emergency assistance for an immediate cesarean section.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrase in the question: "Artificial rupture of the fetal membrane."
Recall or deduce the medical terminology for procedures related to the amniotic sac.
Evaluate Option A, 'Angioplasty.' Recognize this as a cardiac procedure, unrelated to obstetrics, and eliminate it.
Evaluate Option B, 'Amniotomy.' The prefix 'amnio-' relates to the amnion (fetal membrane), and the suffix '-tomy' means to cut or make an incision. This aligns with 'artificial rupture.'
Evaluate Option C, 'Vaginally induced.' This is a vague descriptive phrase, not a specific medical term for a procedure. Eliminate it.
Evaluate Option D, 'Amniocentesis.' The suffix '-centesis' means to puncture and aspirate fluid. This is a diagnostic test, not a procedure to rupture membranes for labor. Differentiate it from amniotomy.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QcwaJdb9bLk7drsvCUmwHX

E6 Obstetrics Williams p. 6

E6 Midwifery Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Sandeep Kaur p. 40-48