A multigravida gave birth to an 18-week fetus last week. She is in the clinic for follow-up and notices that her chart states she has had one abortion. The patient is upset over the use of this word. How can the nurse best explain this terminology to the patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Abortion is a medical term used to describe all pregnancy losses that occur before 28 weeks, regardless of whether it was a spontaneous or induced loss. It is a technical term used in medical documentation and does not necessarily reflect the patient's experience or emotions. By providing this explanation, the nurse can clarify the terminology without minimizing the patient's feelings.

A Multigravida Gave Birth to an 18-Week Fetus Last Week