In abortion terminology, viability refers to what?

• A. The ability of the fetus to survive outside the uterus
• B. The mother's health status
• C. The time since conception
• D. The mother's age

Answer: (A)

Viability in abortion terminology means the fetus’s ability to survive outside the uterus with medical support. This depends on fetal development and the level of neonatal care available; the threshold is not fixed and can vary by country, clinic, and technology, but is often around 24 weeks of gestation in many settings. The concept is about whether life outside the womb is possible with current medical support, rather than anything about the mother's health, how long it has been since conception, or the mother's age. This threshold influences clinical and legal considerations for later-term decisions, because once a fetus is considered viable, restrictions and guidelines typically apply based on the ability to sustain life outside the uterus.