Maternity Nursing: Antepartum Q 28
When involved in prenatal teaching, the nurse should advise the clients that an increase in vaginal secretions during pregnancy is called leukorrhea and is caused by increased:
A. Metabolic rates.
B. Production of estrogen.
C. Functioning of the Bartholin glands.
D. Supply of sodium chloride to the cells of the vagina.
Correct Answer: B. Production of estrogen.
The increase of estrogen during pregnancy causes hyperplasia of the vaginal mucosa, which leads to increased production of mucus by the endocervical glands. The mucus contains exfoliated epithelial cells.
Option A: The placenta produces human placental lactogen (hPL), which acts to supply nutrition to the fetus. It induces lipolysis to increase free fatty acids, which are preferentially used by the pregnant mother for fuel. It also acts as an insulin antagonist to induce a diabetogenic state. This activity prompts hyperplasia of pancreatic beta-cells to create increased insulin levels and protein synthesis. In early pregnancy, maternal insulin sensitivity increases, followed by resistance in the second and third trimesters.
Option C: The incidence of Bartholin gland abscesses during pregnancy was 0.13%. Eight (20%) abscesses occurred in the first, 18 (45%) in the second, 11 (47.5%) in the third trimester, and 3 (7.5%) in the post-partum course. No severe perineal and neonatal infections occurred during pregnancy.
Option D: Vagina, during pregnancy there is an increase in the blood supply to the vagina, its color change from pink to purple, and becomes more elastic in the second trimester.