Dusky hue of vestibule & anterior vaginal wall visible at 8th week of pregnancy is known as?

NORCET 3 - 2022 (Shift-2)

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Easy

Appeared in: NORCET 3 - 2022 (Shift-2)

Explanation

Chadwick's sign is the correct term for the dusky, bluish, or purplish discoloration of the vaginal mucosa, cervix, and vulva.
This color change is a result of increased blood flow and venous congestion in the pelvic organs, a physiological response to rising estrogen levels in early pregnancy.
It is typically one of the earliest visible signs of pregnancy, appearing around the 6th to 8th week of gestation, which aligns with the timeframe given in the question.

Option A: Osiander's sign is a palpable sign, not a visual one. It refers to the increased pulsation of the uterine arteries that can be felt through the lateral vaginal fornices.
Option B: Goodell's sign refers to a change in the consistency of the cervix, specifically its softening. It does not describe a color change.
Option D: Piskacek's sign describes a change in the shape of the uterus. It is a palpable, asymmetrical enlargement of the uterus due to lateral implantation of the embryo.

Visual 1: Illustration - A comparison showing a normal, pink cervix and vaginal wall next to a pregnant cervix and vaginal wall exhibiting the bluish-purple discoloration of Chadwick's sign. This helps to visually differentiate the sign.
Visual 2: Table - A summary table differentiating the probable signs of pregnancy (Chadwick's, Goodell's, Hegar's, Osiander's) by the physical finding and the week of gestation they typically appear.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Probable signs of early pregnancy as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the signs of pregnancy is fundamental for nurses in antenatal care. These signs are categorized into presumptive, probable, and positive.
Chadwick's sign is a 'probable' sign. While highly indicative of pregnancy, it is not definitive, as other conditions causing pelvic vascular congestion (e.g., pelvic tumors) could theoretically cause a similar appearance.
Positive signs, which offer conclusive proof of pregnancy, include detection of a fetal heartbeat via Doppler/ultrasound, visualization of the fetus on ultrasound, and palpation of fetal movements by the examiner.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key descriptive phrase in the question stem: 'Dusky hue of vestibule & anterior vaginal wall'.
Next, note the timing provided: '8th week of pregnancy'.
Recall the definitions of the various named signs of early pregnancy provided in the options.
Match the description of a bluish/dusky color change with the correct term. Chadwick's sign specifically refers to this vascular congestion-induced discoloration.
Differentiate this from the other options by remembering what they describe: Osiander's (pulsation), Goodell's (softening of cervix), and Piskacek's (asymmetrical uterus).
Confirm that the timing (8th week) is consistent with the appearance of Chadwick's sign (typically 6-8 weeks).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Probable signs of early pregnancy
Stem keywords: Dusky hue, vestibule, anterior vaginal wall, 8th week of pregnancy
Lead-in keywords: known as

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