Assessment of a pregnant woman reveals that she compulsively craves ice. The nurse documents this finding as

Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because Ortolani's sign is a test for hip dysplasia in infants, not a sign of pregnancy. It involves moving the infant's legs to check for a clicking sound in the hip joint.

Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because Chadwick's sign is a bluish or purplish discoloration of the cervix, vagina, and vulva during pregnancy, not a softening of the lower uterine segment. It is caused by increased blood flow to the pelvic area.

Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because Goodell's sign is a softening of the cervix during pregnancy, not a softening of the lower uterine segment. It is caused by increased vascularity and edema of the cervical tissue.

Choice D Reason: This is correct because Hegar's sign is a softening of the lower uterine segment or isthmus during pregnancy. It can be felt by bimanual examination around six to twelve weeks of gestation.

Choice A Reason: Preeclampsia is a condition in which a pregnant woman develops high blood pressure and proteinuria (protein in the urine). It can lead to serious complications such as eclampsia, which is seizures caused by preeclampsia, and HELLP syndrome, which is hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets. The main risk factor for preeclampsia is chronic hypertension, which means high blood pressure before pregnancy or before 20 weeks of gestation. Preeclampsia can be detected by measuring the blood pressure and urine protein level. Uric acid is not a reliable indicator of preeclampsia.

Choice B Reason: Gestational diabetes is the correct answer as explained above.

Choice C Reason: Eclampsia is a severe complication of preeclampsia that causes seizures and can be fatal for both the mother and the baby. It usually occurs after 20 weeks of gestation or during labor or postpartum. The main risk factor for eclampsia is preeclampsia, which means high blood pressure and proteinuria during pregnancy. Eclampsia can be prevented by treating preeclampsia with antihypertensive drugs and magnesium sulfate, which is a medication that prevents seizures. Magnesium sulfate can also lower the serum magnesium level, which is the amount of magnesium in the blood. However, magnesium level is not a diagnostic criterion for eclampsia.

Choice D Reason: Placenta previa is a condition in which the placenta covers part or all of the opening of the cervix. It can cause bleeding during pregnancy or delivery and can endanger both the mother and the baby. The main risk factor for placenta previa is previous cesarean section or other uterine surgery, which can cause scarring or damage to the uterine wall. Placenta previa can be detected by ultrasound, which is an imaging test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the uterus and placenta. Hemoglobin is not a relevant factor for placenta previa. Gestational diabetes is a condition in which a woman develops high blood sugar levels during pregnancy. It can cause complications for both the mother and the baby, such as macrosomia, hypoglycemia, and birth trauma. The main risk factor for gestational diabetes is glucose intolerance, which means the body cannot use glucose effectively. Glucose intolerance can be detected by measuring the serum glucose level, which is the amount of glucose in the blood.