AIIMS BHOPAL NO- 2018( Shift-2nd)
Obstetrics and Midwifery Nursing
Easy

The phenomenon at 8th week of gestation where pulsations are felt in the lateral fornices is called:

Appeared in: AIIMS BHOPAL NO- 2018( Shift-2nd)

Explanation

  • Osiander sign is defined as the increased pulsation felt through the lateral fornices of the vagina.
  • This sign is caused by the marked increase in blood flow to the uterus and pelvic organs, a physiological change in early pregnancy.
  • It is considered a probable sign of pregnancy and typically appears around the 8th week of gestation, matching the timeframe in the question.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: Chadwick sign refers to a color change, not a pulsation. It is the bluish or violet discoloration of the vaginal mucosa, cervix, and vulva.
  • Option B: Goodell sign refers to a change in the consistency (softness) of the cervix, not a pulsation.
  • Option D: Hegar sign refers to the softening of the lower uterine segment (isthmus), which is felt on bimanual examination, not a pulsation in the fornices.

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 Probable signs of pregnancy as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • Recognizing the probable signs of pregnancy is a fundamental clinical skill for nurses and midwives during early antenatal assessment.
  • While these signs are not definitive proof of pregnancy (as they can be caused by other conditions), their presence strongly suggests pregnancy and warrants further confirmatory tests like serum hCG or ultrasound.
  • Differentiating between these signs is crucial for accurate documentation and communication within the healthcare team.
How to Approach the Question
  • This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of specific obstetrical terms.
  • Identify the key clinical finding described in the question stem: 'pulsations are felt in the lateral fornices' at the '8th week of gestation'.
  • Systematically review the definitions of each option provided.
  • Chadwick sign is a color change (bluish).
  • Goodell sign is cervical softening.
  • Hegar sign is softening of the lower uterine segment.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Probable signs of pregnancy
  • Stem keywords: 8th week of gestation, pulsations, lateral fornices
  • Lead-in keywords: is called

Question ID

QttOReMCq8A64yuWuOTlW5

Reference Book

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

Practise the full AIIMS BHOPAL NO- 2018( Shift-2nd)

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