A client is being admitted to the labor and childbirth unit. Her GTPAL classification is 5-2-1-1-2. Which statement correctly describes the patient’s obstetric history for shift report?

• A. The patient has had four pregnancies in total.
• B. The patient has had two term pregnancies and two living children.
• C. The patient has had five pregnancies, two term, one preterm, one abortion, and two living children.
• D. The patient has had three term pregnancies.

Answer: (C)

GTPAL summarizes obstetric history by counting pregnancies and their outcomes. Gravida reflects total pregnancies, including the one underway. Term and preterm count how many of those pregnancies reached term or ended early. Abortions are pregnancies that ended before viability, and living denotes how many children are living.

With a GTPAL of 5-2-1-1-2, the patient has had five pregnancies in total. Of those completed pregnancies, two reached term, one ended preterm, and one ended in abortion. There are two living children. The current pregnancy is included in the total gravidity, which is why the living count aligns with the prior outcomes. This description matches the provided classification and is the correct way to report her obstetric history for shift handoff.