For nursing maternity exams, you want to be familiar with the early signs of pregnancy. This review will cover Piskacek’s Sign.
To access more free nursing reviews, check out our maternity nursing videos.
What Is Piskacek’s Sign?
Piskacek’s sign is a probable sign of pregnancy that occurs around 7 weeks of gestation. It refers to an asymmetrical enlargement of the uterus caused by implantation of the embryo on one side of the uterus.
The sign is named after Dr. Ludwig Piskacek.
Key Features of Piskacek’s Sign
- Occurs at approximately 7 weeks of pregnancy
- Characterized by uneven uterine enlargement
- Enlargement occurs on the side where implantation happened
- Causes the uterus to feel asymmetrical
- Detected during a bimanual pelvic examination
Why It Happens
After implantation, the area of the uterus surrounding the developing embryo begins to enlarge and soften more rapidly than the opposite side. This creates the characteristic asymmetrical swelling associated with Piskacek’s sign.
Type of Pregnancy Sign
Piskacek’s sign is classified as a:
Probable Sign of Pregnancy
This means the finding suggests pregnancy but does not confirm it. Similar uterine changes may occur with other gynecologic conditions.
How Pregnancy Is Confirmed
Because Piskacek’s sign is only a probable sign, additional testing is needed to confirm pregnancy.
Pregnancy Confirmation Methods:
- Pregnancy test to detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
- Ultrasound, which provides positive evidence of pregnancy
NCLEX Tip
- Presumptive signs = symptoms reported by the patient
- Probable signs = findings observed by the examiner
- Positive signs = definitive confirmation of pregnancy
- Piskacek’s Sign = Probable Sign of Pregnancy
Maternity Nursing Study Guide
Save Time Studying and Actually Learn
Nurse Sarah’s Maternity Nursing Study Notes are designed to help you study faster, remember more, and stress less. With 151 pages of simplified summaries, illustrations, mnemonics, and visual breakdowns, you’ll breeze through even the trickiest OB topics.
Laser-Focused on What You’ll See on Exams
Whether you’re prepping for nursing school exams or the NCLEX®, these notes focus on the exact maternity/OB concepts you’re most likely to be tested on with no filler, no wasted time.
Memory Hacks, Visuals & Rationales That Make It Stick
Colorful illustrations and proven mnemonics help you actually retain the material, while 220 practice questions with in-depth rationales teach you the “why” behind the right answers so that you’re not just memorizing, you’re understanding.
Available at: NurseSarah.com and Amazon.com* (This is an affiliate link. We may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through this link at no extra cost to you).
You may be interested in: Presumptive, Probable, Positive Pregnancy