Hydatidiform Mole: Gestational Trophoblastic Disease

Hydatidiform mole (molar pregnancy): Abnormal proliferation of trophoblastic tissue; no viable embryo. Classified as gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). Two types: Complete mole: - Karyotype: 46,XX (most common) or 46,XY — entirely paternal chromosomes - Empty ovum fertilized by two sperm (or one sperm that duplicates) - No fetal development; entirely molar tissue - β-hCG extremely elevated (often >100,000 mIU/mL) - Classic 'snowstorm pattern' on ultrasound Partial mole: - Karyotype: 69,XXX or 69,XXY — triploidy (one maternal + two paternal sets) - Normal egg + two sperm - Some fetal tissue may be present (abnormal, non-viable) - β-hCG less dramatically elevated On the exam, writers often pair stable-sounding options with unstable data—notice the mismatch before you commit. If the stem names a license or role, reread that line; scope errors are classic trap answers even when the clinical topic is familiar. Run a 60-second scan: breathing work and oxygenation, perfusion and end organs, neuro baseline, likely infection sources, and devices that can fail quietly. When two answers feel partly right, pick the one that reduces imminent harm and matches orders for...