Nurses should know some basic definitions concerning preterm birth, preterm labor, and low birth weight. For instance:
1. preterm birth and low birth weight can be used interchangeably.
2. preterm labor is defined as cervical changes and uterine contractions occurring between 20 and 37 weeks of pregnancy.
3. low birth weight is anything less than 3.7 pounds.
4. in the United States early in this century preterm birth has been 18% to 20% of all births.
2
1. Incorrect. Although they are used interchangeably, they have different meanings: preterm birth describes length of gestation (37 weeks) regardless of weight; low birth weight de-scribes weight only (2500 g or less) at time of birth, whenever it is.
2. Correct. Before 20 weeks it's not viable (miscarriage); after 37 weeks it can be consi-dered term.
3. Incorrect. Low birth weight is anything less than 2500 g, or about 5½ pounds.
4. Incorrect. In 2003, the preterm birth rate in the United States was 12.3%, but it is in-creasing in frequency.
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