The first fetal movement felt by the mother is called

Appeared in: NHM UP Staff Nurse-2021 Shift-2nd

Explanation

Quickening is the medical term for the first time a pregnant woman feels her baby move.
This sensation is often described as a gentle flutter, bubbling, or faint kick in the abdomen.
It is considered a probable sign of pregnancy, as it is a subjective experience reported by the mother.
The timing varies: first-time mothers (primigravida) usually feel it around 18-20 weeks, while mothers who have been pregnant before (multigravida) may feel it earlier, around 16 weeks.

Option A: Lightening refers to the descent of the fetal head into the pelvis, not fetal movement. It is a sensation of the baby 'dropping' lower, which makes breathing easier for the mother.
Option C: Chloasma, or the 'mask of pregnancy,' is a skin change involving hyperpigmentation on the face. It is unrelated to fetal movement.
Option D: Linea nigra is a dark vertical line that develops on the abdomen during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. It is a skin change, not a sensation of movement.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Terminology for Signs of Pregnancy as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses educate expectant mothers about quickening to reassure them and help in monitoring fetal well-being. The absence of expected quickening may warrant further investigation.
Understanding the timing of quickening helps in estimating or confirming the gestational age of the fetus, especially when the date of the last menstrual period is uncertain.
Patient counseling is crucial. A mother might mistake gas or intestinal peristalsis for fetal movement, so nurses help differentiate these sensations.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core of the question: it asks for the specific term for the 'first fetal movement felt by the mother'.
This is a factual recall question requiring knowledge of obstetric terminology.
Evaluate each option based on its definition in the context of pregnancy.
Recall that 'Quickening' is the specific term for the initial perception of fetal life by the mother.
Eliminate the other options: 'Lightening' relates to the fetus dropping, while 'Chloasma' and 'Linea nigra' are skin pigmentation changes.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QCW-8uueF01VosrNyyaObA

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

E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health Nursing for BSc Nursing Students Part 2 — Subpart B (pp 276-535 of 550) p. 224-226

Practise the full NHM UP Staff Nurse-2021 Shift-2nd

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