Maternity Nursing: Antepartum Q 23
The nurse is aware that an adaptation of pregnancy is an increased blood supply to the pelvic region that results in a purplish discoloration of the vaginal mucosa, which is known as:
A. Ladin’s sign
B. Hegar’s sign
C. Goodell’s sign
D. Chadwick’s sign
Correct Answer: D. Chadwick’s sign.
A purplish color results from the increased vascularity and blood vessel engorgement of the vagina. It can be observed as early as 6 to 8 weeks after conception, and its presence is an early sign of pregnancy.
Option A: Ladin’s sign is a clinical sign of pregnancy in which there is softening in the midline of the uterus anteriorly at the junction of the uterus and cervix. It occurs and is detectable with manual examination at about 6 weeks’ gestation.
Option B: Hegar’s sign is a non-sensitive indication of pregnancy in women — its absence does not exclude pregnancy. It pertains to the features of the cervix and the uterine isthmus. It is demonstrated as a softening in the consistency of the uterus, and the uterus and cervix seem to be two separate regions.
Option C: Goodell sign is an indication of pregnancy. It is a significant softening of the vaginal portion of the cervix from increased vascularization. This vascularization is a result of hypertrophy and engorgement of the vessels below the growing uterus. This sign occurs at approximately four weeks’ gestation.