Which presumptive sign (felt by the woman) or probable sign (observed by the examiner) of pregnancy is not matched with another possible cause?
A.
Quickening: Gas, peristalsis
B.
Chadwick sign: Pelvic congestion
C.
Amenorrhea: Stress, endocrine problems
D.
Goodell sign: Cervical polyps
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is D. Goodell sign: Cervical polyps.
Explanation:
Pregnancy is diagnosed through a combination of signs and symptoms, which are categorized as presumptive, probable, or positive. Presumptive signs are those felt by the woman, such as amenorrhea or quickening, while probable signs are those observed by the examiner, such as Chadwick sign or Goodell sign. Here’s an explanation of each option:
A. Quickening: Gas, peristalsis
Quickening refers to the first movements of the fetus felt by the pregnant woman, usually occurring between 16 to 25 weeks of gestation. This sign is a presumptive one. However, quickening can be confused with gastrointestinal movements like gas or peristalsis. Gas and peristalsis can create sensations in the abdomen that might be mistaken for fetal movement, particularly early in pregnancy.
B. Chadwick sign: Pelvic congestion
The Chadwick sign is a probable sign of pregnancy characterized by the bluish discoloration of the cervix, vagina, and vulva due to increased blood flow. This sign typically appears around 6 to 8 weeks of gestation. Pelvic congestion can mimic the Chadwick sign as it also leads to increased blood flow and congestion in the pelvic area, which may cause similar discoloration.
C. Amenorrhea: Stress, endocrine problems
Amenorrhea, or the absence of menstruation, is a presumptive sign of pregnancy. However, it can also be caused by stress, endocrine disorders, or other medical conditions that disrupt the menstrual cycle. Therefore, amenorrhea is not exclusively indicative of pregnancy and requires further confirmation.
D. Goodell sign: Cervical polyps
The Goodell sign is a probable sign of pregnancy that involves the softening of the cervical tissue, which is typically observed around 4 to 6 weeks of gestation. Cervical polyps are growths on the cervix that can also cause changes in cervical consistency. However, cervical polyps do not cause the specific softening of the cervix observed in the Goodell sign. Therefore, while both conditions can affect the cervix, cervical polyps are not a common cause of the Goodell sign.
In summary, Goodell sign: Cervical polyps is the correct answer because cervical polyps do not typically match or cause the specific cervical softening observed in the Goodell sign, distinguishing it from the other options where the signs can be confused with other conditions.