The nausea and vomiting which generally starts around 4 to 6 weeks of pregnancy is called

NHM UP Staff Nurse-2021 Shift-2nd

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Easy

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

Explanation

Morning sickness, also known as emesis gravidarum, is the specific medical term for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy.
Symptoms typically begin between 4 to 6 weeks of gestation, which aligns with the timeframe given in the question, and usually resolve by 14-16 weeks.
The condition is primarily linked to the rapid increase in pregnancy hormones, particularly human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and estrogen.
Although often worse in the morning, the symptoms can occur at any time of day, which is an important point for patient education.

Option A: Amenorrhoea is the absence of menstruation. While it is a key early sign of pregnancy, it is not the term for nausea and vomiting.
Option C: Galactopoiesis refers to the physiological process of maintaining milk production (lactation). This occurs after childbirth and is unrelated to the symptoms of early pregnancy.
Option D: This is a broad, non-specific category. While nausea and vomiting are early symptoms of pregnancy, 'morning sickness' is the precise clinical term. Medical questions often require the most specific and accurate answer.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Terminology for common symptoms of early pregnancy as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a key role in educating pregnant women about managing morning sickness through dietary and lifestyle adjustments, which can significantly improve their quality of life.
It is crucial for nurses to differentiate between normal morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form that requires medical intervention to prevent dehydration, weight loss, and electrolyte imbalances.
What if? If the patient's vomiting is severe, persistent, and accompanied by a weight loss of more than 5% of her pre-pregnancy weight, the diagnosis would shift from morning sickness to hyperemesis gravidarum, requiring immediate medical evaluation and possibly hospitalization for IV fluids and antiemetics.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the keywords in the question: 'nausea and vomiting,' 'starts around 4 to 6 weeks,' and 'pregnancy.' This points to a common, early pregnancy symptom.
Next, evaluate the options for the most specific and accurate medical term that fits the description.
Eliminate 'Amenorrhoea' as it refers to the absence of periods, not sickness.
Eliminate 'Galactopoiesis' as it relates to milk production, which occurs much later in the perinatal period.
Compare 'Morning sickness' and 'Early symptoms.' 'Early symptoms' is a general category, whereas 'Morning sickness' is the specific clinical term for the described condition. In medical questions, always choose the most precise term.
Confirm that 'Morning sickness' correctly describes nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy to select it as the best answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Obstetrics Williams p. 84-91