Prenatal Period & Risk Conditions: Maternal Adaptations, Diagnostics, and Pregnancy Complications | Chapter 23 from Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-PN Examination (7th Edition)

Prenatal Period & Risk Conditions: Maternal Adaptations, Diagnostics, and Pregnancy Complications | Chapter 23 from Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-PN Examination (7th Edition)

Book cover

Welcome to Chapter 23 of the Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-PN Examination (7th Edition) by Linda Anne Silvestri and Angela E. Silvestri. This essential chapter provides a comprehensive guide to prenatal care, maternal physiological and psychological adaptations, diagnostic tests, and high-risk conditions that may arise during pregnancy. By understanding these topics, nurses can support healthy pregnancies and intervene early in complications—critical skills for NCLEX-PN success and real-world practice.

Watch the complete chapter video summary below, and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for the latest NCLEX-PN maternity care walkthroughs and clinical tips:

Gestation, GTPAL, and Pregnancy Signs

  • Gestation and Delivery Estimation: Calculate estimated date of delivery with Nägele’s rule.
  • GTPAL System: Track pregnancy outcomes—Gravida, Term, Preterm, Abortions, Living children.
  • Signs of Pregnancy: Distinguish presumptive, probable, and positive signs for accurate assessment.

Maternal Physiological and Psychological Adaptations

  • Body system changes: cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, GI, endocrine, musculoskeletal, skin, and reproductive adaptations to pregnancy.
  • Maternal role development: bonding, acceptance, and role transition throughout pregnancy stages.
  • Common discomforts: nausea, heartburn, edema, fatigue, and nursing interventions to promote comfort and safety.

Risk Factors and Complications During Pregnancy

  • Extremes of maternal age (adolescents/advanced age), nutritional status, chronic conditions (diabetes, hypertension, cardiac), obesity, and substance use.
  • Infections: HIV, TORCH (toxoplasmosis, rubella, CMV, herpes), GBS, STIs, and appropriate screening/interventions.
  • High-risk conditions: hyperemesis gravidarum, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, eclampsia, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), fetal demise, and types of abortion.

Diagnostic Testing and Monitoring

  • Overview of prenatal diagnostics: ultrasound, amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling (CVS), nonstress test (NST), contraction stress test (CST), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and daily fetal kick counts.
  • Hematological and infection screenings: blood type, Rh factor, rubella, hepatitis, TB, HIV.
  • Client education: the importance of regular prenatal care and early warning signs to report.

Nutrition and Counseling for Maternal Health

  • Recommended nutrition: increased protein, iron, folic acid, and calories for pregnancy and lactation.
  • Managing pica, lactose intolerance, and other special considerations.
  • Supporting emotional health after reproductive loss and teaching about the grieving process.

Want more NCLEX-PN practice and patient education tips? Watch the video above and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for chapter-by-chapter review and clinical demonstrations!

Conclusion: Prioritizing Safe and Compassionate Prenatal Care

Chapter 23 of Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-PN Examination (7th Edition) prepares you to confidently assess, educate, and care for pregnant clients—recognizing both normal adaptations and risk conditions. Early identification and intervention can protect maternal and fetal health, making this knowledge essential for nursing students and practicing LPNs.

If you found this breakdown helpful, subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more NCLEX-PN maternity guides, diagnostic walkthroughs, and study tools.

If you found this breakdown helpful, be sure to subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more chapter-by-chapter textbook summaries and academic study guides.

Explore the full YouTube playlist for Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-PN Examination (7th Edition) here: Complete Playlist

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