RNC-MNN key terms

The total number of times a woman has been pregnant, including the current pregnancy, regardless of the outcome. It is recorded as the first number in the GTPAL system.

The number of pregnancies that reached viability and ended in birth, whether the infant was live-born or stillborn. Multiple-gestation births count as one para event in the GTPAL system.

A five-part obstetric history shorthand recording gravida, term births, preterm births, abortions or miscarriages, and living children. It summarizes a patient's reproductive history quickly during admission.

The projected birth date, commonly calculated by adding 280 days to the first day of the last menstrual period (Naegele's rule) and later confirmed or adjusted by early ultrasound.

The age of a pregnancy measured in weeks and days from the first day of the last menstrual period, used to classify pregnancies as preterm, term, or postterm and to guide care decisions.

A pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder marked by new-onset elevated blood pressure after 20 weeks with proteinuria or end-organ dysfunction, such as renal, hepatic, or neurologic involvement.

A severe variant of preeclampsia characterized by hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets. It can cause right upper quadrant pain, malaise, and rapid clinical deterioration.

Glucose intolerance first recognized during pregnancy, usually detected by screening between 24 and 28 weeks. Management focuses on diet, activity, glucose monitoring, and insulin when needed.

A newborn weight that is abnormally large for gestational age, generally above 4,000 to 4,500 grams. It raises the risk of shoulder dystocia and birth trauma.

Birth occurring before 37 completed weeks of gestation. It is a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality and often prompts antenatal corticosteroids to promote fetal lung maturity.

Medications such as betamethasone or dexamethasone given to a woman at risk of preterm birth before 34 weeks to accelerate fetal lung maturation and reduce respiratory distress in the newborn.

Antibiotics, typically intravenous penicillin, given during labor to a woman who is GBS-positive to prevent vertical transmission and early-onset neonatal sepsis.

The period of labor and birth, from the onset of regular uterine contractions through delivery of the placenta. Care focuses on fetal surveillance, maternal support, and safety.

The four phases of birth: cervical dilation and effacement (first stage), pushing and birth of the baby (second stage), delivery of the placenta (third stage), and the immediate recovery period (fourth stage).

Continuous or intermittent assessment of fetal heart rate and uterine contractions to detect distress. It may be done by auscultation or electronic monitoring with interpretation of tracings.

A reassuring electronic fetal monitoring pattern with a baseline of 110 to 160 beats per minute, moderate variability, and no late or variable decelerations. It requires no intervention beyond routine care.

A gradual decrease in fetal heart rate that begins after the peak of a uterine contraction and returns to baseline after the contraction ends. It suggests uteroplacental insufficiency and requires intervention.

A birth emergency in which the fetal anterior shoulder becomes lodged behind the maternal pubic symphysis after the head delivers. It requires rapid maneuvers and carries risk of brachial plexus injury.

Excessive blood loss after birth, commonly defined as more than 1,000 mL or loss accompanied by signs of hypovolemia. Uterine atony is the most frequent cause.

Failure of the uterus to contract firmly after delivery of the placenta, allowing continued bleeding from the placental site. It is the leading cause of postpartum hemorrhage.

A uterus that feels soft and spongy rather than firm on palpation after birth, indicating poor contraction. Fundal massage and uterotonics are used to promote firmness and limit bleeding.

Vaginal discharge after childbirth made of blood, mucus, and tissue. It progresses from red (rubra) to pink-brown (serosa) to white-yellow (alba) over several weeks.

The process by which the uterus returns to its nonpregnant size, position, and tone, typically over about six weeks. Breastfeeding and firm contractions support this process.

A mood disorder occurring after childbirth with persistent sadness, anxiety, fatigue, or loss of interest lasting more than two weeks and interfering with function. Screening tools such as the Edinburgh scale aid detection.

A rare but severe psychiatric emergency after childbirth marked by hallucinations, delusions, confusion, or mania. It carries high risk of harm to self or infant and requires immediate intervention.

Formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, most often in the leg, with risk increased during pregnancy and postpartum. Signs include unilateral calf pain, swelling, warmth, and redness.

A blockage of a pulmonary artery, usually by a clot that traveled from a deep vein. In pregnancy it may present with sudden dyspnea, chest pain, or tachycardia and is life-threatening.

A rapid newborn assessment at one and five minutes after birth scoring heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and color on a 0 to 10 scale.

The physiologic changes a newborn undergoes after birth, including lung fluid clearance, onset of breathing, and closure of fetal circulatory shunts. Most occur within the first hours of life.

The newborn's ability to maintain body temperature through heat production and loss. Immature mechanisms and a large surface area make hypothermia and cold stress common risks.

Elevated bilirubin in the newborn causing jaundice, a yellowing of skin and sclera. It is common and usually benign but can become dangerous if levels rise untreated.

Treatment using blue-spectrum light to break down bilirubin in the skin so it can be excreted. The newborn's eyes are shielded and hydration and temperature are monitored during therapy.

Permanent neurologic damage caused by bilirubin depositing in the brain when severe hyperbilirubinemia goes untreated. It can result in hearing loss, cerebral palsy, and developmental delay.

A newborn breathing disorder caused by surfactant deficiency, most common in preterm infants. Signs include grunting, retractions, nasal flaring, and tachypnea.

A systemic infection in the newborn, often acquired from the birth canal or environment, presenting with temperature instability, poor feeding, lethargy, or respiratory distress. Prompt antibiotics are essential.

Mandatory testing of newborns for metabolic, endocrine, and genetic disorders, typically by heel-stick blood sample after 24 hours of feeding. Early detection allows treatment before symptoms appear.

A patient's voluntary agreement to a procedure after receiving and understanding information about its purpose, risks, benefits, and alternatives. It protects patient autonomy and supports legal and ethical care.

The nurse's role in protecting and promoting a patient's rights, safety, and preferences, including speaking up when care is unsafe or when the patient cannot speak for themselves.

The defined hierarchy a nurse follows to escalate clinical concerns, from the immediate supervisor upward, ensuring timely action when patient safety is at risk.

An unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological harm, or the risk thereof. It triggers a root-cause analysis and system-wide improvement efforts.