Which is the Early Sign of Pregnancy?

Appeared in: MP CHO-2020

Explanation

Amenorrhea, the cessation of the menstrual period, is the earliest presumptive sign of pregnancy.
It typically occurs around the 4th week of gestation, coinciding with the expected date of the next menses.
This sign is often the first one noticed by the woman and prompts suspicion of pregnancy before other signs like morning sickness appear.

Option A: Morning sickness (nausea and vomiting) is an early sign, but it typically starts between 4 to 6 weeks of gestation, which is after the first missed period (amenorrhea).
Option C: Quickening is the sensation of fetal movement. This is a mid-pregnancy sign, occurring much later, typically between 16 to 20 weeks of gestation.
Option D: This option is incorrect because a valid early sign of pregnancy, Amenorrhea, is listed as one of the choices.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The concept tested is the identification and timeline of the early presumptive signs of pregnancy as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
For a nurse, recognizing amenorrhea in a woman of reproductive age is a key assessment finding that indicates the need for a pregnancy test and further counseling.
Early confirmation of pregnancy is vital for initiating timely antenatal care, which includes nutritional guidance, folic acid supplementation to prevent neural tube defects, and lifestyle modifications (e.g., avoiding teratogens like alcohol and certain medications).
Patient education about the sequence of pregnancy signs helps manage expectations and reduce anxiety.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question, which asks for the 'Early Sign' of pregnancy. This implies you need to find the sign that appears first chronologically.
Next, recall or look up the typical timeline for the onset of each sign listed in the options.
Evaluate Option A (Morning sickness): This usually starts around 4-6 weeks.
Evaluate Option B (Amenorrhea): This is the missed period, which occurs at approximately 4 weeks.
Evaluate Option C (Quickening): This is fetal movement felt by the mother, which occurs much later, around 16-20 weeks.
Compare the onset times. Amenorrhea (4 weeks) occurs at the same time or slightly before morning sickness (4-6 weeks) and significantly before quickening (16-20 weeks).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: The concept tested is the identification and timeline of the early presumptive signs of pregnancy.
Stem keywords: Early Sign, Pregnancy
Lead-in keywords: Which

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E6 Midwifery Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Sandeep Kaur p. 6-11

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 MP CHO-2020

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