Question

A mother has just experienced quickening. Which of the following developmental changes would the nurse expect to occur at the same time in the woman's pregnancy?

1) Fetal heart begins to beat.
2) Lanugo covers the fetal body.
3) Kidneys secrete urine.
4) Fingernails begin to form.

Answer 1

During the period when a mother experiences quickening, usually between weeks 16-20 of pregnancy, the fetus's kidneys begin to secrete urine and lanugo starts to cover the fetal body.

Step-by-step explanation:

The experience of quickening, which is when a mother first feels the fetus moving, typically occurs during weeks 16-20 of pregnancy. During this time frame, several developmental changes happen concurrently. Among these changes are:

• The fetus becomes very active with movements being more powerful due to developing muscles, brain, and nervous pathways.
• fingernails and toenails begin their initial formation.
• The covering of lanugo, fine hair, starts growing on the face and body.
• The kidneys begin to secrete urine as they start functioning properly. This is evidenced by the circulation of amniotic fluid, followed by the production of urine.

Out of the provided options and aligning with the information about the developmental stages of pregnancy, the nurse should expect that the lanugo covers the fetal body (option 2) and that the kidneys secrete urine (option 3) during the same time as quickening.