A nurse is assisting with a prenatal examination of a client who is at 8 weeks of gestation. The nurse notes that the client's vagina and vulva are a purplish color. The nurse should document this finding as which of the following?
Explanation & Rationale
A. Chadwick's sign is correct. Chadwick's sign refers to a purplish or bluish discoloration of the vagina and vulva that occurs early in pregnancy due to increased blood flow to the pelvic area. This is typically seen around the 8th week of gestation. B. Hegar's sign is incorrect. Hegar's sign refers to the softening of the lower uterine segment, which is a physical change that can be felt during a pelvic examination. It is a sign of pregnancy but does not involve discoloration of the vaginal area. C. Chloasma is incorrect. Chloasma, also called the "mask of pregnancy," refers to hyperpigmentation on the face, typically over the cheeks and forehead, not the vagina or vulva. D. Ballottement is incorrect. Ballottement refers to a physical finding during a pelvic exam in which the examiner can feel the fetus floating in the amniotic fluid, typically observed after 16 weeks of pregnancy. It is unrelated to changes in vaginal or vulvar color.