Maternity Nursing: Intrapartum Q 23
The nurse observes the client’s amniotic fluid and decides that it appears normal, because it is:
A. Clear and dark amber in color
B. Milky, greenish yellow, containing shreds of mucus
C. Clear, almost colorless, and containing little white specks
D. Cloudy, greenish-yellow, and containing little white specks
Correct Answer: C. Clear, almost colorless, and containing little white specks.
By 36 weeks gestation, normal amniotic fluid is colorless with small particles of vernix caseosa present. Amniotic fluid is usually clear to pale yellow in color. It should be odorless, or slightly sweet in odor—although some say it has a bleach-like smell.
Option A: Dark fluid can also be seen with an intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) when the fetus has died during pregnancy.
Option B: In full-term or near-term pregnancies, green or brown fluid may indicate the baby has had a bowel movement (meconium), which contributes to the color change. This can be an indication of a baby in distress or simply that the pregnancy has extended enough for the baby to pass that first stool in utero.
Option D: The amniotic fluid may also be blood-tinged, especially during labor, if the cervix has started dilating, or if there are placental problems.