Final answer:
In placenta previa, total or complete means the entire opening of the cervix is covered, while partial or incomplete means only a portion is covered.
Step-by-step explanation:
In reference to placenta previa, when a physician or nurse uses the terms total (complete) or partial (incomplete), they are describing the extent to which the placenta covers the opening of the cervix.
Total or complete placenta previa means that the entire opening of the cervix is covered by the placenta.
Partial or incomplete placenta previa means that only a portion of the opening of the cervix is covered by the placenta.