A woman gave birth last week to a fetus at 18 weeks' gestation after her first pregnancy. She is in the clinic for follow-up, and notices that her chart states she has had one abortion. The client is upset over the use of this word. How can the nurse best explain this terminology to the client?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

"Abortion is the obstetric term for all pregnancies that end before 20 weeks." This explanation clarifies that the term "abortion" in a medical context includes all pregnancies that conclude before 20 weeks, whether through miscarriage or medical intervention, without implying intent or cause.

A Woman Gave Birth Last Week to a Fetus at 18