How it Works
Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (Free-Trial)

A client’s maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein level is elevated at 17 weeks.
What condition should the nurse identify as the likely cause of this increase?

A.

Multiple gestation.

B.

Fetal hypoxia.

C.

Down syndrome.

D.

Neural tube defect.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A rationale

While multiple gestation can cause an increase in maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MS-AFP) levels, it is not the most likely cause of an elevated MS-AFP level at 17 weeks.

Choice B rationale

Fetal hypoxia, or lack of oxygen to the fetus, is not typically associated with an increase in MSAFP levels.

Choice C rationale

Down syndrome is typically associated with lower, not higher, levels of MS-AFP891011.

Choice D rationale

An elevated level of MS-AFP at 17 weeks is most commonly associated with a neural tube defect. Neural tube defects are birth defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord that occur during the first month of pregnancy.


Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Free Nursing Study Resources

Related Questions

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Administering oxygen via a facemask is an intervention that can be used if the baby shows signs of distress or if the decelerations do not improve with other interventions. However, it is not the first action that should be taken.
Choice B rationale
Turning off the oxytocin infusion could be an appropriate action if the mother is receiving oxytocin and the baby is showing signs of distress. However, it is not the first action that should be taken.
Choice C rationale
Changing the client’s position is the correct first action for variable decelerations. This can relieve potential cord compression and improve fetal oxygenation.
Choice D rationale
Assessing cervical dilation is an important part of monitoring labor progress, but it is not the first action that should be taken in response to variable decelerations.

Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"C"}

Explanation

A. Croup

  • Rationale: Croup is a condition characterized by a barking cough and stridor (a high-pitched breathing sound), often accompanied by noisy breathing. It is a common cause of respiratory distress in children and can present with symptoms similar to those described.

B. Asthma

  • Rationale: Asthma can present in young children with symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and rapid breathing. However, diagnosing asthma in very young children can be challenging due to the variability of symptoms and the overlap with other respiratory conditions.

C. Bronchiolitis

  • Rationale: The child’s symptoms of “fast and noisy breathing” could be indicative of bronchiolitis, a common lung infection in young children. This condition is often preceded by symptoms of a common cold, such as sneezing and a runny nose, which the child had the previous week.

D. Foreign Body Aspiration

  • Rationale: Foreign body aspiration should be considered in young children who present with sudden onset of respiratory symptoms, including noisy or rapid breathing, particularly if there is a history of coughing or choking.

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Register