Question

The nursing instructor asks a nursing student to describe the process of quickening. Which of the following statements, if made by the student, indicates an understanding of this term?

a. It is the fetal movement that is felt by the mother.
b. It is the compressibility of the lower uterine segment.
c. It is the irregular, painless contractions that occur throughout pregnancy.
d. It is the soft blowing sound that can be heard when the uterus is auscultated.

Answer 1

Quickening refers to the sensation of fetal movement felt by a pregnant person, typically between weeks 16-20 of pregnancy, distinguishing it from other pregnancy and labor signs.

Step-by-step explanation:

The process of quickening refers to the fetal movement that is felt by the pregnant person, which typically occurs during approximately weeks 16-20 of pregnancy. As the fetus grows and limb movements become more forceful, these movements become noticeable to the pregnant person, even though the space within the uterus is becoming more restricted. This sensation is one of the earliest tangible signs of fetal development.

Therefore, the correct answer to the nursing student's question is: 'a. It is the fetal movement that is felt by the mother.' This indicates that the student understands quickening as the experience of detecting fetal movements, which is different from other signs and stages of pregnancy and labor, such as cervical dilation, uterine contractions, or hearing sounds from the uterus.