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HPSSC Staff Nurse - 2021
Obstetrics and Midwifery Nursing
Easy

Missed abortion is also known as?

Appeared in: HPSSC Staff Nurse - 2021

Explanation

  • A missed abortion is correctly identified as a silent miscarriage.
  • This condition is defined by the death of the fetus (fetal demise) while the products of conception remain within the uterus.
  • It is called 'silent' because the typical symptoms of miscarriage, such as significant bleeding and cramping, are often absent.
  • On examination, the cervix is found to be closed, and pregnancy symptoms like nausea may have subsided.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: A complete abortion involves the expulsion of all products of conception from the uterus. The bleeding and pain have typically subsided, and the cervix is closed.
  • Option B: An inevitable abortion is characterized by an open cervical os, indicating that the miscarriage process has begun and cannot be stopped. It is typically accompanied by significant bleeding and cramping.
  • Option D: A septic abortion is any type of abortion that is complicated by an infection of the uterus and its contents. It is a serious condition characterized by fever, chills, lower abdominal pain, and a foul-smelling vaginal discharge.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Classification and terminology of spontaneous abortion as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • Accurately identifying the type of abortion is crucial for determining the correct management plan, which can range from expectant management ('watchful waiting') to medical treatment (e.g., misoprostol) or surgical evacuation (D&C).
  • Nurses play a vital role in providing emotional support and clear, compassionate education to patients experiencing pregnancy loss, helping them understand their diagnosis and treatment options.
  • Monitoring for complications is a key nursing responsibility. In a missed abortion, the nurse must watch for signs of infection or the onset of heavy bleeding.
How to Approach the Question
  • This is a factual recall question testing knowledge of medical terminology.
  • First, identify the key term in the question: 'Missed abortion'.
  • Recall the definition of a missed abortion: the fetus has died but is retained in the uterus, often without the classic symptoms of a miscarriage.
  • Evaluate the options to find the synonym. 'Silent miscarriage' accurately describes a situation where the body has not yet recognized or responded to the pregnancy loss with expulsion.
  • Confirm the answer by differentiating it from the other options: 'complete' (all tissue passed), 'inevitable' (expulsion is certain but not finished), and 'septic' (infection is present).
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Classification and terminology of spontaneous abortion.
  • Stem keywords: Missed abortion
  • Lead-in keywords: also known as

Question ID

QPDtwOtZcOO-b32a-iGklK

Reference Book

E6 Midwifery Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Sandeep Kaur p. 7-12

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 8397-8399

E6 Gynecology Williams p. 152-181

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