A 34-year-old multiparous client at 16 weeks' gestation reports she has already felt the baby move. How should the nurse interpret this finding?

A 34-year-old multiparous client at 16 weeks' gestation reports she has already felt the baby move. How should the nurse interpret this finding?

• A. Normal because multiparous clients can experience quickening between 14 and 20 weeks' gestation.
• B. Abnormal, indicating fetal distress.
• C. Suggests an ectopic pregnancy.
• D. Indicates a molar pregnancy.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that when a woman has had previous pregnancies, she often feels fetal movement earlier. Quickening can be perceived around 14 to 16 weeks in multiparous patients. So feeling the baby move at 16 weeks is normal and reassuring for fetal development. This timing alone doesn’t indicate distress. In contrast, ectopic pregnancy typically presents with pain and bleeding and isn’t related to early perceived movement at this stage, and a molar pregnancy would usually show abnormal uterine findings and pregnancy markers rather than normal early movement. So this finding fits the expected pattern for someone who has had prior pregnancies.

The main idea is that when a woman has had previous pregnancies, she often feels fetal movement earlier. Quickening can be perceived around 14 to 16 weeks in multiparous patients. So feeling the baby move at 16 weeks is normal and reassuring for fetal development. This timing alone doesn’t indicate distress. In contrast, ectopic pregnancy typically presents with pain and bleeding and isn’t related to early perceived movement at this stage, and a molar pregnancy would usually show abnormal uterine findings and pregnancy markers rather than normal early movement. So this finding fits the expected pattern for someone who has had prior pregnancies.