Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

Which condition is associated with an increase in uterine size and cervical dilation during early pregnancy?

1. Inevitable abortion

2. Threatened abortion

3. Incomplete abortion

4. Acute pelvic inflammatory disease

The correct answer is: Inevitable abortion

In early pregnancy, the condition associated with an increase in uterine size and cervical dilation is indeed inevitable abortion. This occurs when there are indications that a miscarriage is imminent, specifically when the cervix has started to dilate and the pregnancy cannot be sustained. In this situation, the uterus begins to expand in response to the physiological changes occurring as the body prepares to expel the pregnancy tissue. When inevitable abortion is diagnosed, it signifies that the process of miscarriage is already underway and cannot be prevented. This condition is characterized by significant uterine changes, including an increase in size due to the gestational material and the beginning of cervical effacement and dilation in preparation for the expulsion of the products of conception. In contrast, other scenarios such as threatened abortion might present symptoms like vaginal bleeding without cervical dilation, indicating that the pregnancy may still continue. Incomplete abortion refers to situations where some but not all products of conception are expelled, which typically follows a more advanced process of miscarriage rather than an indication of early changes. Lastly, acute pelvic inflammatory disease is an unrelated infectious condition that affects the reproductive organs and is not specifically linked to uterine size changes or cervical dilation during pregnancy.