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12.5: Key Terms

  • Page ID
    104634
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    adolescent pregnancy
    one that occurs in persons between 10 and 19 years of age
    anemia
    level of red blood cells or hemoglobin that is too low to supply enough oxygen to the tissues of the body
    blighted ovum
    also known as an anembryonic pregnancy, occurs when a fertilized egg implants into the uterus, but an embryo does not form
    cerclage
    surgical procedure in which sutures are placed around the cervix to prevent it from dilating
    cervical insufficiency
    painless dilation of the cervix during pregnancy that often leads to inability to carry the fetus beyond the second trimester
    chronic hypertension
    high blood pressure that is present prior to pregnancy or before 20 weeks’ gestation
    complete abortion
    occurs when there is a termination of pregnancy that results in all the products of conception being expelled from the uterus, such as the fetus, placenta, and other tissue
    cystic fibrosis
    genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which causes thick mucus to build up in various organs of the body, such as the lungs, pancreas, and intestines
    dilation and curettage (D&C)
    surgical procedure in which the contents of the uterus are removed by dilating the cervix and using a surgical instrument (curette) to evacuate the uterine tissue and lining
    disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
    serious condition where there is widespread coagulopathy and tiny blood clots form throughout the body
    eclampsia
    occurs when preeclampsia progresses and the patient develops seizure activity
    ectopic pregnancy
    occurs when a fertilized egg becomes implanted outside the uterus
    fetal resorption
    occurs when fetal tissues are broken down into simple molecules, which are easily absorbed by the body of the pregnant person
    gestational trophoblastic disease
    rare group of tumors caused by an abnormal growth of placental trophoblastic tissue during pregnancy
    HELLP syndrome
    acronym that stands for Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelet count and is a complication of liver involvement related to preeclampsia
    high-risk pregnancy
    pregnancy that has an increased likelihood of maternal and fetal complications
    hyperemesis gravidarum
    condition characterized by severe nausea and vomiting during the first trimester that can lead to electrolyte imbalances, weight loss, malnutrition, and dehydration
    hyperthyroidism
    diagnosed in the setting of high thyroxine (free T4) levels and low thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels; clinical signs and symptoms include heat intolerance, weight loss, frequent stools, sweating, palpitations, insomnia, tachycardia, and hypertension.
    hypothyroidism
    diagnosed in the setting of high thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and low thyroxine (free T4) levels; clinical signs and symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, constipation, muscle cramps, cold intolerance, edema, hair loss, and dry skin
    immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)
    autoimmune disorder in which platelets are destroyed, which leads to low platelet levels
    incomplete abortion
    occurs when some of the products of conception are still present in the uterus after the pregnancy has been terminated
    inevitable pregnancy loss
    occurs when the cervix dilates or the membranes rupture without delivery of the fetus or placenta at less than 20 weeks’ gestation
    intrauterine fetal demise
    death of the fetus that occurs at any time during pregnancy
    missed abortion
    also referred to as a missed miscarriage, a type of spontaneous abortion where there is no expulsion of the products of conception and the cervix is closed; the patient may experience minimal to no signs or symptoms of miscarriage
    multiple gestation
    term used to describe a pregnancy in which there is more than one fetus
    oligohydramnios
    abnormally low volume of amniotic fluid present during pregnancy
    overnutrition
    imbalance of nutrition that results from excessive food intake
    placenta accreta
    occurs when the placenta grows into or through the uterine wall, which can lead to the placenta attaching to nearby pelvic and abdominal organs
    placenta previa
    placenta that is located near the internal cervical os or covering it
    placental abruption
    occurs when the placenta separates from the uterine lining, which may lead to significant maternal-fetal blood loss, intrauterine fetal demise, or maternal death
    polyhydramnios
    abnormally high volume of amniotic fluid that is present during pregnancy
    preeclampsia
    multisystem disorder that can occur after 20 weeks’ gestation and, if untreated, can lead to damage in the vital organs and cause seizures
    preexisting medical condition
    medical condition that is present prior to conception
    preterm labor
    onset of labor before 37 weeks’ gestation, which is considered term gestation
    preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM)
    occurs when the membranes rupture before term gestation at 37 weeks and there is concern for imminent delivery
    recurrent abortion
    also known as a recurrent pregnancy loss, refers to two or more consecutive spontaneous abortions that occur before 20 weeks’ gestation
    rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
    systemic autoimmune disease characterized primarily by joint inflammation
    systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
    autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues in multiple organ systems
    threatened abortion
    diagnosed when bleeding occurs without cervical dilation during the first trimester or before 20 weeks’ gestation
    tuberculosis (TB)
    infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis that primarily impacts the lungs and can cause symptoms such as a chronic cough, hemoptysis, fever, night sweats, chills, fatigue, and chest pain, and symptoms can range from mild to severe
    type 1 diabetes
    caused by an insulin shortage from an autoimmune process that destroys the pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin
    type 2 diabetes
    caused by beta cells that do not secrete a sufficient amount of insulin in the setting of insulin resistance
    undernutrition
    imbalance of nutrition related to inadequate intake of food and necessary nutrients

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