When the amount of amniotic fluid exceeds two liters the condition is called:

GMCH Chandigarh - 2022

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Easy

Appeared in: GMCH Chandigarh - 2022

Explanation

Polyhydramnios is the correct medical term for an excessive accumulation of amniotic fluid.
It is defined as an amniotic fluid volume exceeding 2000 mL (2 liters) during the second half of pregnancy.
On ultrasound, it is often diagnosed when the Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI) is greater than 24 cm.
Common causes include maternal diabetes mellitus (leading to fetal polyuria) and fetal anomalies that interfere with swallowing, such as anencephaly or esophageal atresia.

Option A: Oligohydramnios refers to a deficiency of amniotic fluid (volume less than 500 mL at term), which is the opposite of the condition described in the question.
Option C: This is a colloquial or lay term for the amniotic sac and the fluid it contains. It is not a clinical diagnosis or a term used to quantify the fluid volume.
Option D: Amnionitis, or chorioamnionitis, is the inflammation and infection of the amniotic membranes and chorion. It is an infectious process, not a condition defined by fluid volume.

Visual 1: Infographic - A comparative illustration showing a cross-section of a uterus with oligohydramnios (scant fluid), normal amniotic fluid, and polyhydramnios (excess fluid) to help visualize the differences in volume.
Visual 2: Table - A summary table outlining the diagnostic criteria (Amniotic Fluid Index and volume in mL) for oligohydramnios, normal fluid, and polyhydramnios.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Amniotic fluid volume disorders as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a key role in detecting potential polyhydramnios by noting a fundal height that is significantly larger than expected for the gestational age during routine prenatal checks.
Management involves monitoring for maternal respiratory distress (due to pressure on the diaphragm) and signs of preterm labor, as the overdistended uterus is at higher risk for both.
During labor, a controlled amniotomy (artificial rupture of membranes) may be performed to prevent rapid decompression, which can lead to placental abruption or umbilical cord prolapse.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the key information in the question: 'amniotic fluid' and 'exceeds two liters'.
Recognize that 'exceeds two liters' signifies an abnormally high volume of fluid.
Analyze the prefixes of the options. 'Poly-' means 'many' or 'much,' while 'oligo-' means 'few' or 'scant.'
Understand that 'hydramnios' refers to amniotic fluid.
Combine the prefix 'poly-' with 'hydramnios' to form 'polyhydramnios,' which logically means 'too much amniotic fluid.'
Rule out the other options: Oligohydramnios is the opposite condition, 'bag of waters' is a non-clinical term, and 'amnionitis' is an infection.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QPNy-Z0OszY92O3Pwc-atD