Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

Which of the following indicates a positive sign of pregnancy?

1. Palpation of the fetus and auscultation of the fetal heart tones by the nurse practitioner

2. Palpation of the fetus and a positive quantitative serum pregnancy test

3. Fetal heart tones and a positive quantitative serum pregnancy test

4. Fetal heart tones and feeling of movement of the baby by the mother

The correct answer is: Palpation of the fetus and auscultation of the fetal heart tones by the nurse practitioner

A positive sign of pregnancy is indicated by findings that provide definitive evidence of a developing fetus. In this case, the palpation of the fetus and auscultation of fetal heart tones directly confirm the presence of a fetus. These are considered objective signs that can be observed or measured by a healthcare provider, making them definitive indicators of pregnancy. In contrast, although a quantitative serum pregnancy test is informative, it is not considered a definitive sign of pregnancy on its own. It can indicate the presence of the pregnancy hormone (human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG) but does not confirm an ongoing pregnancy without additional clinical signs. The feeling of movement by the mother, while indicative of a pregnancy, depends on subjective reporting and is not considered definitive until later in the gestation period. Thus, the most clear-cut positive signs are those that can be physically assessed by a practitioner, as seen in the correct answer regarding palpation and auscultation.