A nurse in a prenatal office is caring for a client who is at gestation and is scheduled for an amniocentesis.
The client asks why ultrasounds are performed prior to the procedure. Which of the following responses by the nurse is appropriate?
The ultrasound determines there is more than one fetus.
The ultrasound is for determining fetal age.
The ultrasound is for identifying the location and mass.
The ultrasound is for imaging.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A:
While an ultrasound can indeed determine if there are multiple fetuses, this is not the primary reason for performing it prior to amniocentesis. The number of fetuses is typically established earlier in pregnancy through routine ultrasounds.
Focusing solely on multiple fetuses might lead the client to believe that ultrasounds are only conducted in such cases, which is not accurate.
Choice B:
Determining fetal age is a crucial aspect of prenatal care, but it's not the main reason for an ultrasound before amniocentesis. Fetal age is typically assessed through earlier ultrasounds, often in the first trimester.
Highlighting fetal age might misinform the client about the specific purpose of the ultrasound in this context.
Choice C:
This is the most appropriate response because it accurately identifies the primary purpose of the ultrasound.
Amniocentesis involves inserting a needle into the amniotic sac to collect a sample of amniotic fluid. To ensure the safety of the procedure and minimize risks to the fetus, it's essential to accurately visualize the location of the amniotic sac and placenta, as well as assess the position of the fetus.
Ultrasound provides real-time imaging that allows the healthcare provider to visualize these structures with precision, guiding the needle insertion and reducing the risk of complications.
Choice D:
While stating that the ultrasound is for imaging is technically correct, it's too general and doesn't provide the specific reason for its use in this context.
A more informative response would clarify the specific imaging goals for amniocentesis, as outlined in Choice C.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A:
It is incorrect to state that all women will start to feel the baby move at 24 weeks. While this is a common timeframe, the exact timing of when a woman first feels fetal movements, known as quickening, can vary. Some women may feel movement as early as 16 weeks, while others may not feel it until closer to 25 weeks. Factors such as the position of the placenta, the woman's body size, and whether it is her first pregnancy can influence when she first perceives movement.
Choice B:
While the baby's sex is genetically determined at conception, it is not typically visible on ultrasound until around 18-20 weeks of gestation. This is due to the development of the external genitalia, which occurs between 11 and 14 weeks. It is not accurate to state that the sex is always definitively determined by week 8.
Choice D:
Lanugo, the fine hair that covers a fetus's body, is typically present between 14 and 20 weeks of gestation. It starts to disappear around 32-36 weeks, and most babies are born without it. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that lanugo covers the entire body at 36 weeks.
Choice C:
The fetal heartbeat can be detected by a Doppler stethoscope as early as 10-12 weeks of gestation. This is often a reassuring milestone for pregnant women, as it provides audible confirmation of the baby's presence and well-being. It is a common practice for healthcare providers to use a Doppler stethoscope during prenatal visits to assess the fetal heart rate and monitor fetal development.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is choice b. Quickening occurs between the fourth and fifth months of pregnancy.
Choice A rationale:
Quickening does not start soon after implantation. Implantation occurs around 6-10 days after fertilization, but quickening, which is the first feeling of fetal movements, typically happens much later in pregnancy.
Choice B rationale:
This is the correct answer. Quickening usually occurs between 16 to 20 weeks of pregnancy, which corresponds to the fourth and fifth months.
Choice C rationale:
Quickening does not start during the last trimester. By the last trimester, fetal movements are usually strong and frequent, and the mother has been feeling them for several months.
Choice D rationale:
Quickening does not occur between the second and third month of pregnancy. At this stage, the fetus is still too small for its movements to be felt by the mother.
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