Braxton-Hicks are:-

Appeared in: AIIMS Manglagiri NO - 2019

Explanation

Braxton-Hicks are intermittent, irregular contractions of the uterus that occur during pregnancy, first described by John Braxton Hicks in 1872.
They are often called "practice" or "false labor" pains because they do not cause cervical change (dilation or effacement).
These contractions help tone the uterine muscle and prepare it for the work of actual labor, often increasing in frequency and intensity closer to term.

Option A: This refers to blepharospasm, an involuntary spasm of the eyelid muscles, which is a neurological condition completely unrelated to pregnancy or uterine function.
Option B: This is a non-specific term. While uterine contractions are felt in the abdomen, the origin of the contraction is the uterus, not the abdominal wall muscles. The abdominal muscles are used for voluntary pushing during the second stage of labor, which is distinct from Braxton-Hicks contractions.
Option C: This is too general. The uterus is a muscle, and it contracts, but "muscle contractions" could refer to any muscle in the body (skeletal, cardiac, or smooth). The term lacks the specificity required to define Braxton-Hicks, which are unique to the uterus during pregnancy.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definition and characteristics of Braxton-Hicks contractions as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A key nursing role is educating pregnant patients on how to distinguish between Braxton-Hicks contractions and true labor. This knowledge helps reduce patient anxiety and prevents unnecessary visits to the hospital.
Nurses should advise patients to time their contractions, noting their frequency, duration, and intensity, and to observe if they change with rest or activity.
Patient teaching should include clear instructions on when to contact their healthcare provider or go to the hospital, such as when contractions become regular, strong, and frequent.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question testing knowledge of fundamental obstetric terminology.
Identify the key term in the question stem: "Braxton-Hicks".
Recall the medical definition of Braxton-Hicks contractions from your study of pregnancy and labor.
Evaluate the given options to find the most precise and accurate description.
"Uterine contractions" is the correct medical definition. The other options are either incorrect (Eye contractions) or too general and non-specific (Abdominal contractions, Muscle contractions).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q10i5Hb2huRdKG7_ufGm53

E6 Physiology Guyton 4SAE Part 3 p. 66-68

E6 Obstetrics Williams p. 36-56

E6 Midwifery Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Sandeep Kaur p. 6-11

Practise the full AIIMS Manglagiri NO - 2019

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