ABOG OB/GYN Qualifying Exam key terms

New-onset hypertension after 20 weeks of gestation accompanied by signs of organ injury, such as platelets below 100,000, transaminases above twice normal, creatinine above 1.1 mg/dL, pulmonary edema, visual or cerebral symptoms, or blood pressure of 160/110 mmHg or higher.

A variant of severe preeclampsia defined by Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelets. It can present with normal or only mildly elevated blood pressure and may cause right upper quadrant pain, malaise, and rapid maternal deterioration.

The occurrence of generalized tonic-clonic seizures in a patient with preeclampsia, in the absence of another cause such as epilepsy or hypoglycemia. Magnesium sulfate is the treatment of choice for seizure control and prevention.

Dose-dependent adverse effects of magnesium therapy, progressing from loss of deep tendon reflexes to respiratory depression, cardiac conduction abnormalities, and arrest. Calcium gluconate is the antidote, and serum levels and reflexes guide monitoring.

Use of low-dose aspirin, typically 81 mg daily started before 16 weeks, in patients at high risk for preeclampsia to reduce the risk of early-onset disease. It is recommended for prior preeclampsia, chronic hypertension, diabetes, and multifetal gestation.

Cumulative blood loss of at least 1,000 mL or blood loss accompanied by signs of hypovolemia within 24 hours of birth. Uterine atony is the most common cause, followed by genital tract trauma, retained placenta, and coagulopathy.

Failure of the myometrium to contract after delivery, leading to uncontrolled bleeding from the placental site. Risk factors include prolonged labor, chorioamnionitis, multifetal gestation, and oxytocin use; management begins with uterine massage and uterotonics.

Abnormal adherence or invasion of the placenta into the myometrium, associated with prior cesarean delivery and placenta previa. It risks massive hemorrhage at delivery and is best managed by planned cesarean hysterectomy at a center with a multidisciplinary team.

Implantation of the placenta over or very near the internal cervical os. It causes painless third-trimester vaginal bleeding and is confirmed by transvaginal ultrasound; digital cervical examination is avoided because it can provoke hemorrhage.

Rupture of the fetal membranes before 37 weeks of gestation and before the onset of labor. Management includes antibiotics for latency, corticosteroids for fetal lung maturity, and fetal monitoring for infection and abruption.

Betamethasone or dexamethasone given to a patient at risk of delivery between 24 and 34 weeks to accelerate fetal lung maturation and reduce neonatal respiratory distress, intraventricular hemorrhage, and mortality. Benefit is greatest when delivery occurs 24 hours to 7 days after dosing.

Use of medications to temporarily inhibit uterine contractions and delay preterm delivery, allowing time for corticosteroid effect or in utero transfer. Agents include nifedipine and indomethacin; it does not improve perinatal outcomes when used chronically.

Intra-amniotic infection, usually ascending bacterial flora, presenting with maternal fever, uterine tenderness, foul amniotic fluid, and fetal tachycardia. Treatment is prompt broad-spectrum antibiotics plus delivery, regardless of gestational age.

Postpartum infection of the decidua and myometrium, typically presenting with fever, lower abdominal pain, and foul lochia after cesarean or prolonged labor. Treatment is intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics with anaerobic coverage until the patient is afebrile for 24 to 48 hours.

Glucose intolerance first recognized during pregnancy. It is diagnosed by a one-step or two-step oral glucose tolerance test and increases risks of macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, preeclampsia, and later type 2 diabetes.

Failure to deliver the fetal shoulders after delivery of the head, requiring maneuvers such as McRoberts positioning, suprapubic pressure, and internal rotation. Risks include brachial plexus injury and neonatal hypoxic injury.

Premature separation of a normally implanted placenta, presenting with painful vaginal bleeding, uterine hypertonicity, and fetal distress. It is associated with hypertension, trauma, and cocaine use and can cause disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Systemic activation of coagulation causing widespread microthrombi and consumption of platelets and clotting factors, leading to bleeding and organ dysfunction. In obstetrics it complicates abruption, amniotic fluid embolism, and severe sepsis.

A rare, catastrophic obstetric emergency in which amniotic fluid and fetal debris enter the maternal circulation, causing sudden hypotension, hypoxia, seizures, and coagulopathy near the time of delivery. Management is supportive and resuscitative.

A tracing with absent baseline variability plus recurrent late decelerations, recurrent variable decelerations, bradycardia, or a sinusoidal pattern. It is abnormal and requires prompt evaluation and expeditious delivery when the pattern persists.

Gradual, symmetric decreases in fetal heart rate beginning after the peak of a uterine contraction and returning after it ends. They suggest uteroplacental insufficiency and are managed with maternal repositioning, oxygen, and fluid bolus.

More than five contractions in 10 minutes averaged over 30 minutes. It can cause fetal hypoxia and is managed by stopping oxytocin, repositioning, and considering tocolysis with terbutaline.

Painless cervical dilation and shortening in the second trimester in the absence of labor or infection, leading to recurrent pregnancy loss. It is treated with cerclage, progesterone, or pessary depending on history and findings.

Implantation of the conceptus outside the uterine cavity, most often in the fallopian tube. It presents with amenorrhea, pain, and bleeding, and is managed medically with methotrexate or surgically depending on stability and size.

Systemic chemotherapy used to treat a small, unruptured ectopic pregnancy in a hemodynamically stable patient with low beta-hCG and no fetal cardiac activity. It is a folate antagonist and requires follow-up hCG monitoring and avoidance of pregnancy until resolved.

A common endocrine disorder diagnosed by Rotterdam criteria: two of ovulatory dysfunction, clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovarian morphology. It is associated with insulin resistance, anovulatory infertility, and endometrial hyperplasia.

Overgrowth of endometrial glands relative to stroma, driven by unopposed estrogen. It ranges from hyperplasia without atypia to atypical hyperplasia, which carries a substantial risk of progression to endometrial carcinoma.

Malignancy arising from the endometrial lining, most often in postmenopausal patients with abnormal uterine bleeding. Type I is estrogen-driven and associated with obesity and hyperplasia; type II is serous and less hormone-dependent.

Any vaginal bleeding after 12 months of amenorrhea in a patient not on hormone therapy. It requires evaluation for endometrial cancer, typically with transvaginal ultrasound and endometrial biopsy.

Twisting of the ovary and its vascular pedicle, causing sudden severe unilateral pelvic pain, nausea, and vomiting. It is a surgical emergency; detorsion and ovarian preservation are preferred when the tissue is viable.

A polymicrobial vaginal dysbiosis with loss of lactobacilli, presenting with thin gray discharge, clue cells, elevated pH, and a fishy odor with potassium hydroxide. Treatment is metronidazole or clindamycin, and partner treatment is not indicated.

Vulvovaginal infection by Candida species, typically presenting with thick white discharge, pruritus, and vulvar erythema. Uncomplicated cases are treated with topical azoles or a single oral fluconazole dose.

Periodic testing for cervical precancer and cancer using cytology and/or high-risk HPV testing, with age-specific intervals and management of abnormal results per risk-based guidelines. Screening typically begins at age 21 and ends around age 65 after adequate negative testing.

Prophylactic vaccination against high-risk HPV types that cause cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers. It is recommended in adolescence and for catch-up in young adults, ideally before sexual debut.

Hormonal contraception containing an estrogen and a progestin that suppress ovulation and thicken cervical mucus. They carry increased risk of venous thromboembolism, especially with smoking and age over 35, and are contraindicated in some conditions.

Contraceptive planning after delivery to prevent short-interval pregnancy. Progestin-only methods and intrauterine devices can be started immediately postpartum, while estrogen-containing methods are avoided in the first weeks in breastfeeding patients due to thrombosis risk.

The transition from regular reproductive cycles to menopause, marked by variable cycle length and vasomotor symptoms. Contraception remains necessary until menopause is confirmed, and hormone therapy may be offered for symptom relief.

The permanent cessation of menstruation due to loss of ovarian follicular activity, diagnosed after 12 months of amenorrhea without other cause. It is associated with vasomotor symptoms, bone loss, and genitourinary syndrome of menopause.