Which of the following statements related to cervical eversion is INCORRECT?

Appeared in: BTSC Staff Nurse 1 August-2025

Explanation

The statement that cervical eversion regresses by 20-24 weeks of pregnancy is incorrect.
Cervical eversion is a physiological change driven by high levels of estrogen, which cause the endocervical glands to proliferate and evert.
Estrogen levels remain high and continue to rise throughout the entire duration of pregnancy.
Consequently, cervical eversion persists during pregnancy and only begins to regress postpartum (after delivery) when estrogen levels significantly decrease.

Option A: This statement is correct. Cervical eversion is a well-documented physiological response to the high estrogen state (hyperestrinism) of early pregnancy.
Option B: This statement is correct. It accurately describes the cellular process of eversion, where the columnar epithelium of the endocervix moves outward, covering the area of the ectocervix normally lined by squamous epithelium.
Option D: This statement is correct. The underlying mechanism of eversion is the estrogen-induced proliferation and overgrowth (hyperplasia) of the endocervical glandular mucosa.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Pathophysiology and clinical course of cervical eversion (ectropion) during pregnancy as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Cervical eversion is a benign condition but clinically important because its red, friable appearance can mimic cervicitis, cervical polyps, or even early cervical cancer.
Patients may present with symptoms like increased vaginal discharge or postcoital bleeding, which requires evaluation to rule out pathological causes.
A Pap smear is often performed to confirm that the changes are benign and not related to dysplasia (abnormal cell growth).

How to Approach the Question

First, identify that the question asks for the INCORRECT statement. This means three of the options will be factually correct, and one will be false.
Recall the basic pathophysiology of cervical eversion. The key driver is high estrogen.
Consider the hormonal environment of pregnancy. Estrogen levels are low initially, rise significantly, and remain high until delivery.
Evaluate each option based on this hormonal context.
Option A: 'Hyperestrinism' in 'early pregnancy' is correct.
Option B: 'Downward growth of columnar epithelium' is the definition of eversion, which is correct.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Pathophysiology and clinical course of cervical eversion (ectropion) during pregnancy.
Stem keywords: cervical eversion, INCORRECT
Lead-in keywords: INCORRECT
Negative lead-in flag: The question asks for the INCORRECT statement.

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E6 Obstetrics Williams p. 38-57

E6 Gynecology Williams p. 206-243

Practise the full BTSC Staff Nurse 1 August-2025

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