A client comes to the prenatal clinic for her first visit. When determining the client's estimated due date, the nurse understands that which method is the most accurate?

Choice A Reason: This is correct because cloudy malodorous fluid indicates that the amniotic fluid is contaminated with bacteria or other microorganisms that can cause infection in the woman or the fetus. Normally, amniotic fluid is clear and odorless.

Choice B Reason: This is correct because abdominal tenderness suggests that the woman has inflammation or irritation of the uterus or other pelvic organs due to infection. Abdominal tenderness can also be accompanied by cramping, pain, or fever.

Choice C Reason: This is correct because fetal bradycardia, which is a slow fetal heart rate below 110 beats per minute, indicates that the fetus is experiencing distress or hypoxia due to infection. Fetal bradycardia can be detected by electronic fetal monitoring or Doppler device.

Choice D Reason: This is correct because elevated maternal pulse rate, which is a heart rate above 100 beats per minute, indicates that the woman has an increased metabolic demand or systemic inflammation due to infection. Elevated maternal pulse rate can also be caused by dehydration, anxiety, or pain.

Choice E Reason: This is incorrect because decreased C-reactive protein levels do not indicate infection. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein that is produced by the liver in response to inflammation or infection. Increased CRP levels can be a sign of infection, but decreased CRP levels can be normal or indicate other conditions such as liver disease or malnutrition.

Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because ultrasound visualization of the fetus is a positive sign of pregnancy, not a probable sign. A positive sign of pregnancy is a direct and definitive evidence of the presence of a fetus, such as fetal movement felt by the examiner or fetal heart sounds heard by a Doppler device.

Choice B Reason: This is correct because softening of the cervix, also known as Goodell's sign, is a probable sign of pregnancy. A probable sign of pregnancy is a strong indication of pregnancy based on physical changes in the reproductive organs, such as enlargement of the uterus or changes in the shape and consistency of the cervix.

Choice C Reason: This is correct because a positive pregnancy test, which detects human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine or blood, is a probable sign of pregnancy. However, it is not a conclusive sign, as hCG can also be produced by other conditions such as ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, or trophoblastic tumors.

Choice D Reason: This is correct because absence of menstruation, also known as amenorrhea, is a probable sign of pregnancy. It occurs when ovulation and menstruation cease due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. However, it is not a definitive sign, as amenorrhea can also be caused by other factors such as stress, illness, or hormonal imbalances.

Choice E Reason: This is correct because ballottement, which is a rebounding of the fetus against the examiner's fingers during a pelvic examination, is a probable sign of pregnancy. It can be felt around 16 to 20 weeks of gestation.

Choice F Reason: This is incorrect because auscultation of a fetal heart beat, which can be heard by a fetoscope around 18 to 20 weeks of gestation or by a Doppler device around 10 to 12 weeks of gestation, is a positive sign of pregnancy, not a probable sign.