Dusky hue of the vestibule and anterior vaginal wall visible at about 8th week of pregnancy is called as?

Appeared in: JODHPUR AIIMS SNO-2018

Explanation

Chadwick's sign refers to the bluish or purplish discoloration of the vaginal mucosa, cervix, and vulva.
This color change is a result of increased blood flow (hyperemia) to the area, stimulated by rising estrogen levels in early pregnancy.
It is considered a presumptive sign of pregnancy and typically appears around the 6th to 8th week of gestation, consistent with the timeframe mentioned in the question.

Option A: Goodell's sign is characterized by the softening of the cervix, which feels similar to the softness of the lips. It is a change in texture, not color.
Option B: Hegar's sign is the softening of the lower uterine segment (the isthmus). On bimanual examination, the lower uterus feels thin and compressible. This is a change in the consistency of the uterus, not a color change in the vagina.
Option D: Palmer's sign refers to the regular, rhythmic uterine contractions that can be felt during a bimanual examination in early pregnancy. It is a palpable sign, not a visual one related to color.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Presumptive signs of pregnancy as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Recognizing presumptive signs like Chadwick's sign is crucial for nurses in primary care, obstetrics, and community health settings for the early identification of pregnancy.
Early diagnosis allows for the timely initiation of antenatal care, including nutritional counseling, folic acid supplementation, and screening for risk factors, which are vital for a healthy pregnancy outcome.
What if the sign observed was softening of the cervix instead of a color change? In that case, the correct answer would be Goodell's sign, which is another presumptive sign of pregnancy appearing around the 6th week.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the question to identify the key clinical finding. The question describes a "dusky hue," which indicates a color change.
Note the location of the sign: the "vestibule and anterior vaginal wall."
Recall the definitions of the four signs of pregnancy provided in the options.
Differentiate the signs based on the type of change: Goodell's and Hegar's signs relate to softening (texture), Palmer's sign relates to contractions (palpable), and Chadwick's sign relates to color change (visual).
Match the clinical finding of a "dusky hue" with the correct definition. Chadwick's sign is the bluish discoloration of the vaginal tissues, making it the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Presumptive signs of pregnancy
Stem keywords: Dusky hue, vestibule, anterior vaginal wall, 8th week of pregnancy
Lead-in keywords: is called as

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

E6 Obstetrics Williams p. 39-58

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