Match the pregnancy sign in List-I with its description in List-II.

List-I	List-II
A. Hegar's sign	1. Softening of the lower uterine segment
B. Goodell's sign	2. Softening of the uterine cervix
C. Chadwick's sign	3. Bluish or violet discoloration of the vagina, cervix and vulva
D. Ballottement	4. Rebounding of the fetus against the examiner's fingers on palpation

1. A

   A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3

2. B

   A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3

3. C

   A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2

4. D

   A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4

Appeared in: AIIMS Rishikesh & Jodhpur NO - 2017

Explanation

• The correct option correctly pairs each pregnancy sign with its corresponding clinical description.
• Hegar's sign is the softening of the lower uterine segment (A-1).
• Goodell's sign is the softening of the cervix (B-2).
• Chadwick's sign is the bluish discoloration of the vaginal mucosa due to increased vascularity (C-3).
• Ballottement is the passive movement and rebound of the fetus in the amniotic fluid upon tapping (D-4).

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: This option incorrectly matches all the signs. For example, it pairs Hegar's sign (softening of the lower uterus) with the description for Goodell's sign (softening of the cervix).
• Option B: This option correctly matches Hegar's sign (A-1) and Goodell's sign (B-2) but incorrectly swaps the descriptions for Chadwick's sign and Ballottement.
• Option C: This option incorrectly matches all the signs. It confuses the descriptions for all four distinct clinical findings.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain This question tests the knowledge of the probable signs of pregnancy and their specific clinical descriptions as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• Recognizing these probable signs is a fundamental skill in early pregnancy assessment. It helps the nurse or midwife to suspect pregnancy and guide the woman toward confirmatory tests like an ultrasound.
• These signs, while strongly suggestive, are not definitive proof of pregnancy. Conditions like uterine fibroids or hormonal imbalances can sometimes mimic these signs. Therefore, they are termed 'probable' and must be followed by 'positive' signs for confirmation.
• What if? If a woman at 8 weeks gestation presents with amenorrhea and Goodell's sign but Chadwick's sign is absent, the examiner should still consider pregnancy but also investigate other causes of cervical softening, as the timing and presentation of these signs can vary slightly among individuals.

How to Approach the Question

• This is a 'Match the Following' question, which requires precise recall of definitions.
• First, read the items in List-I (the signs) and List-II (the descriptions).
• Try to match each sign with its correct description based on your knowledge. For example, associate 'Hegar's' with the 'lower uterine segment'.
• Match 'Goodell's' with the 'cervix'. Associate 'Chadwick's' with 'color' (bluish). Link 'Ballottement' with 'bouncing' or 'rebounding' of the fetus.
• Once you have made your matches (A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4), look for the option that contains this exact combination.
• Carefully check each option to ensure all pairs are correct before selecting the final answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: This question tests the knowledge of the probable signs of pregnancy and their specific clinical descriptions.
• Stem keywords: Pregnancy sign, Hegar's sign, Goodell's sign, Chadwick's sign, Ballottement, Match the following
• Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE

Question ID

QLc4hgTllKLvhIJfh1IlWw

Copy ID

Reference Book

E6 Midwifery Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Sandeep Kaur pp. 7-12, 6-11