GoMidwife Practice Exam

A partial mole during pregnancy is characterized by the presence of fetal tissue along with an abnormal number of chromosomes. In a partial mole, there is typically a triploid karyotype, meaning there are three sets of chromosomes instead of the usual two. This occurs when a normal egg is fertilized by two sperm or when there is an egg that has already duplicated its chromosomes. The presence of fetal tissue indicates that there was some development, but because of the chromosomal abnormality, this tissue is often not viable.

In contrast, the presence of normal chromosomes without fetal tissue does not fit the definition of a partial mole, as this would imply a normal pregnancy where the formation of fetal tissues and structures would have occurred if fertilization and implantation had been successful. The option referring to multiple fetuses and one not surviving does not specifically pertain to the characteristics of partial moles and is not a significant descriptor of this condition. Lastly, the scenario where no fetal tissue is formed, leading to an immediate miscarriage, describes an entirely different pathological condition, one that would be more characteristic of a complete mole or other pregnancy-related issues rather than a partial mole.

Thus, the hallmark of a partial mole is the combination of abnormal chromosomal makeup and the presence of some