Question

a female patient tells you that she is 38 weeks pregnant. where would you expect to palpate the top of the uterus during your exam?

a. at the level of the umbilicus
b. at the level of the twelfth rib
c. at the level of the xiphoid process
d. at the level of the iliac crest

Explanation:

During pregnancy, the fundal height (top of the uterus) is measured. At 36 weeks, the fundus reaches the xiphoid process. At 38 weeks, it remains at the xiphoid process level as the baby may start to engage (descend) but the fundal height doesn't drop significantly below the xiphoid process before labor in most cases. The umbilicus level is around 20 weeks, the twelfth rib is not a standard landmark for this, and the iliac crest is much lower (not relevant for this stage).

Answer:

C. At the level of the xiphoid process