MTP can be done up to:

Appeared in: OSSSC Nursing Officer-2023

Explanation

The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971, establishes the general upper gestational limit for termination at 20 weeks.
This limit applies to most cases, including those for medical, eugenic, or socioeconomic reasons.
While the MTP Amendment Act, 2021, extends the limit to 24 weeks, this extension is specifically for certain vulnerable categories of women (like rape survivors, minors, etc.).
Therefore, 20 weeks remains the standard upper limit for the general population, making it the best answer among the given choices.

Option A: This is not the upper legal limit for MTP. Under the MTP Act, termination up to 12 weeks requires the opinion of one registered medical practitioner, but the overall limit is higher.
Option B: This gestational age does not represent a specific legal cutoff point in either the original MTP Act of 1971 or the 2021 amendment.
Option D: This is a common gestational limit for medical abortion (using pills like mifepristone and misoprostol) but not the overall legal limit for all MTP procedures, which includes surgical methods.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Legal framework for Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a vital role in counseling women about their reproductive rights and must be well-versed in the legal timeframes of the MTP Act to provide accurate information.
Ensuring proper documentation, including informed consent and the required number of RMP opinions based on gestational age, is a key nursing responsibility to maintain legal and ethical standards.
Patient confidentiality is paramount in MTP cases, and nurses must uphold it strictly as mandated by the Act.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question, which is 'MTP' (Medical Termination of Pregnancy).
Recognize that this is a factual recall question based on Indian legislation.
Recall the key gestational limits set by the MTP Act, 1971, and its major amendment in 2021.
Differentiate between the general upper limit and the extended limit for special categories.
Evaluate the given options: 10, 12, 16, and 20 weeks.
Select the option that represents the standard upper limit applicable to the general population, which is 20 weeks.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Legal framework for Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) in India.
Stem keywords: MTP, up to
Lead-in keywords: can be done

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart C (pp 404-604 of 604) p. 199-200

E6 Midwifery Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Sandeep Kaur p. 17-25

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-232 of 464) p. 1

Practise the full OSSSC Nursing Officer-2023

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