A pregnant client comes to the office for her first prenatal examination at 10 weeks. She has been pregnant twice before; the first delivery produced a viable baby girl at 39 weeks 3 years ago; the second pregnancy produced a viable baby boy at 36 weeks 2 years ago. Both children are living and well.
Using the gravida and para system to record the client’s obstetrical history, the nurse should record:
A . Gravida 3 para 1
B . Gravida 3 para 2
C . Gravida 2 para 1
D . Gravida 2 para 2
Answer: B
Explanation:
(A) This answer is an incorrect application of gravida and para. The client has had two prior deliveries of more than 20 weeks’ gestation; therefore, para equals 2, not 1.
(B) This answer is the correct application of gravida and para. The client is currently pregnant for the third time (G = 3), regardless of the length of the pregnancy, and has had two prior pregnancies with birth after the 20th week (P = 2), whether infant was alive or dead.
(C) This answer is an incorrect application of gravida and para. The client is currently pregnant for the third time (G = 3, not 2); prior pregnancies lasted longer than 20 weeks (therefore, P = 2, not 1).
(D) This is an incorrect application of gravida and para. Client is currently pregnant for third time (G = 3, not 2).