RNC-OB key terms

A five-part shorthand for obstetric history: gravida (total pregnancies), term births, preterm births, abortions (spontaneous or induced), and living children. It summarizes past pregnancy outcomes to guide risk assessment in the current pregnancy.

A scoring system that combines cervical dilation, effacement, consistency, position, and fetal station to predict how likely a labor induction is to succeed. Higher scores indicate a more favorable, ripened cervix.

An ultrasound assessment that scores fetal breathing, movement, tone, and amniotic fluid volume, often combined with a nonstress test. A score of 8 or 10 is usually reassuring; lower scores suggest fetal compromise.

A fetal surveillance test that records the heart rate for at least 20 minutes to look for accelerations with fetal movement. Reactivity suggests an intact autonomic nervous system and adequate oxygenation.

A test that observes the fetal heart rate during uterine contractions, which may be induced with oxytocin or nipple stimulation. Recurrent late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency and poor tolerance of labor.

An intravenous medication used to prevent or treat seizures in preeclampsia and to provide fetal neuroprotection in preterm birth. Monitoring includes respirations, deep tendon reflexes, and urine output.

A buildup of magnesium in the blood causing loss of deep tendon reflexes, respiratory depression, oliguria, and eventual cardiac arrest. Treatment is stopping the infusion and giving intravenous calcium gluconate.

A hypertensive disorder of pregnancy with blood pressure of at least 160/110, or with signs such as thrombocytopenia, elevated liver enzymes, pulmonary edema, visual changes, or renal insufficiency. Delivery is generally indicated.

A severe variant of preeclampsia marked by hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets. It may cause right upper quadrant pain and liver rupture, and usually requires prompt delivery.

Glucose intolerance first recognized during pregnancy. Diet-controlled cases are class A1 and medication-requiring cases are A2; both raise the risk of macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, and neonatal hypoglycemia.

Antibiotics, usually intravenous penicillin, given during labor to carriers of group B streptococcus and to those with certain risk factors. The goal is to prevent severe early-onset infection in the newborn.

A condition in which the placenta covers or lies very near the cervical os. It can cause painless third-trimester bleeding, usually requires cesarean birth, and makes vaginal exams unsafe.

Premature separation of a normally implanted placenta before birth. Signs include painful bleeding, a firm tender uterus, and fetal distress; concealed hemorrhage can lead to disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Rupture of the amniotic sac before 37 weeks of gestation and before labor starts. Care weighs infection risk and gestational age and often includes antenatal corticosteroids and antibiotics.

Betamethasone or dexamethasone given to a pregnant person expected to deliver preterm, typically between 24 and 34 weeks. They accelerate fetal lung maturity and reduce respiratory distress, intraventricular hemorrhage, and neonatal death.

The beat-to-beat fluctuation of the fetal heart rate around its baseline, reflecting an intact brainstem and autonomic nervous system. Moderate variability is reassuring; minimal or absent variability may reflect hypoxia, sleep, or medications.

A tracing with absent variability plus recurrent late or variable decelerations, bradycardia, or a sinusoidal pattern. It predicts abnormal acid-base status and calls for immediate evaluation and intrauterine resuscitation.

A gradual drop in the fetal heart rate that starts after the peak of a contraction and returns after the contraction ends. It suggests uteroplacental insufficiency and prompts repositioning plus other resuscitation measures.

An abrupt drop in the fetal heart rate whose timing is unrelated to contractions, usually caused by umbilical cord compression. Repositioning, amnioinfusion, and relieving cord pressure are common responses.

A decrease in the fetal heart rate of at least 15 beats per minute lasting 2 minutes or more but under 10 minutes. Causes include cord prolapse, maternal hypotension, and hyperstimulation, and it needs prompt intervention.

Bedside measures to improve fetal oxygenation: maternal repositioning, intravenous fluids, oxygen when indicated, stopping oxytocin, and reducing contraction frequency. It is used for nonreassuring fetal heart rate patterns.

More than five contractions in 10 minutes averaged over 30 minutes, or contractions that are excessively long or strong. It can impair fetal oxygenation and is managed by reducing or stopping uterotonic medication.

Infusion of sterile fluid into the amniotic cavity through an intrauterine catheter. It relieves recurrent variable decelerations caused by cord compression and dilutes thick meconium.

Failure of the fetal shoulders to deliver with routine gentle traction after the head emerges, requiring specific maneuvers. Risk is higher with macrosomia and diabetes, and the nurse documents maneuvers, timing, and cord gases.

Cumulative blood loss of 1,000 mL or more after birth, or any loss accompanied by signs of hypovolemia. Causes follow the four T's: tone, trauma, tissue, and thrombin.

Failure of the uterus to contract firmly after birth, allowing heavy bleeding from the placental site. It is the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage and is treated with massage and uterotonic medications.

A disorder in which widespread clotting consumes platelets and clotting factors, producing both thrombosis and severe bleeding. In obstetrics it is linked to abruption, hemorrhage, sepsis, and amniotic fluid embolism.

Infection of the uterine lining after birth, with fever, uterine tenderness, and foul lochia. Cesarean birth, prolonged rupture of membranes, and long labor raise the risk; treatment is broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Clot formation in deep veins or travel of clot to the lungs. Pregnancy and the postpartum period increase risk, so early ambulation, hydration, compression devices, and anticoagulation for high-risk patients are used.

A 0-to-10 rating at 1 and 5 minutes after birth based on heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and color. It describes condition and response to resuscitation, not long-term outcome.

Blood glucose below the accepted threshold for a newborn's age, causing jitteriness, poor feeding, lethargy, or seizures. Infants of diabetic mothers and preterm infants are at highest risk and need early feeding and screening.

Jaundice appearing after the first 24 hours of life from normal red cell breakdown and an immature liver. Bilirubin is monitored and treatment includes feeding support and phototherapy when levels warrant.

Withdrawal signs in a newborn exposed prenatally to opioids or other substances, including irritability, tremors, poor feeding, and diarrhea. Care is supportive, using comfort measures and scoring tools to guide treatment.

Cooling a newborn with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy to about 33.5 degrees Celsius for 72 hours, begun soon after birth. It lowers death and disability and requires close monitoring of temperature, glucose, and vital signs.

A structured communication tool covering Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. It is used for handoffs and for escalating concerns so that critical information is transmitted clearly.

A patient's voluntary agreement to a procedure after receiving information about its nature, risks, benefits, and alternatives. The nurse confirms understanding and witnesses the signature but does not obtain the consent.

A brief standardized pause before a procedure in which the team verbally confirms patient identity, procedure, site, and consent. It is part of the universal protocol that prevents wrong-patient and wrong-site errors.

A safety approach that distinguishes human error, at-risk behavior, and reckless conduct when responding to an event. It encourages reporting and learning rather than blame.

The failure to recognize or act on a deteriorating patient's warning signs, resulting in serious harm or death. Surveillance, early warning scores, and rapid response teams are used to prevent it.