Question

The nurse who elects to work in the specialty of obstetric care must have the ability to distinguish between preterm birth, preterm labor, and low birth weight. Which statement regarding this terminology is correct?

A. Low birth weight is a newborn who weighs below 3.7 pounds.
B. Preterm labor is defined as cervical changes and uterine contractions occurring between 20 and 37 weeks of gestation.
C. Preterm birth rate in the United States continues to increase.
D. Terms preterm birth and low birth weight can be used interchangeably.

Answer 1

B. Preterm labor is defined as cervical changes and uterine contractions occurring between 20 and 37 weeks of gestation.

Step-by-step explanation:

• Preterm birth: a normal pregnancy is 40 weeks long, a preterm birth happens before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
• Preterm labor: labor is the regular contractions of the uterus and the start of the thining and opening of the cervix that can lead to the born of the baby. Preterm, or premature, labor is when this labor occurs before week 37 but after week 20 of pregnancy.
• Low birth weight: the average weigth of a newborn is 8 pounds, a baby with low weight is less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces

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