Question

During a prenatal checkup, a pregnant patient reports frequent urination. While examining the patient, the nurse finds that the patient's uterine fundus is just above the symphysis pubis. What does the nurse infer from this finding?

Answer 1

The finding of the uterine fundus just above the symphysis pubis and frequent urination suggests a second trimester pregnancy. This is due to the enlarging uterus pressing on the bladder, leading to a decrease in bladder capacity and increased urine production.

Step-by-step explanation:

During a prenatal checkup, when a patient reports frequent urination and the uterine fundus is found to be just above the symphysis pubis, it indicates that the pregnancy is likely in the second trimester. The uterine fundus position is a helpful indicator of fetal growth and gestational age. As the uterus expands with the growing fetus, it applies pressure on the bladder, resulting in the symptomatic frequent urination. This compression reduces the bladder's capacity to hold urine. Additionally, the body is processing waste for both the mother and the fetus, leading to an increase in urine production during pregnancy.

This increased urinary frequency is a common and expected finding during this stage of pregnancy and correlates with the fetal development. Healthcare providers use the measurement of the uterine fundus' height as a non-invasive way to assess the approximate gestational age of the fetus and to monitor the progress of the pregnancy.