Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Exam Prep 2025 – Complete Practice Resource

The definition of the termination of pregnancy at any time prior to viability refers specifically to a spontaneous abortion. Spontaneous abortion, commonly known as miscarriage, occurs naturally and results in the loss of a pregnancy before the fetus reaches a stage where it can survive outside the womb. This can happen for various reasons, often related to chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus, maternal health issues, or anatomical problems within the uterus.

In contrast, elective abortion is a deliberate termination of pregnancy initiated by the individual, unlike a spontaneous abortion, which occurs without intentional intervention. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube, and presents unique risks and complications, while placental abruption involves the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall, which can threaten both maternal and fetal health.

Thus, in the context of the question, the correct choice relates specifically to the natural ending of a pregnancy that occurs before the fetus can survive on its own, making spontaneous abortion the appropriate definition.