A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for a maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein test at 15 weeks of gestation.
The nurse provides which of the following explanations about this test to the client?
It is a diagnostic test for spinal defects in the fetus.
It is a screening test for spinal defects in the fetus.
It is a diagnostic test for chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus.
It is a screening test for chromosomal abnormalities in the fetu.
The Correct Answer is B
A maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein test is a type of prenatal blood test that measures the levels of MSAFP in the blood of a pregnant person. The test helps the healthcare provider assess the baby’s risk of certain medical conditions, such as neural tube defects and chromosomal abnormalities. The test is usually done between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy.
A screening test means that it does not diagnose any health conditions, but only indicates the probability of having them.
A positive test means that the baby has a higher risk of having a birth defect, but it does not confirm it.
A negative test means that the baby has a lower risk of having a birth defect, but it does not rule it out. Further tests are needed to confirm or exclude the diagnosis.
A diagnostic test means that it can provide a definite diagnosis of a health condition. A maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein test is not a diagnostic test for spinal defects or chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus.
Statement A is wrong because it says that the test is a diagnostic test for spinal defects in the fetus, which is not true.
Statement C is wrong because it says that the test is a diagnostic test for chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus, which is not true.
Statement D is wrong because it says that the test is a screening test for chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus, which is only partially true. The test can screen for some chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome, but not all of them.
The test also screens for neural tube defects, which are not chromosomal abnormalities.
Normal ranges for MSAFP vary depending on the gestational age and the laboratory methods used. Generally, MSAFP levels increase until about 32 weeks of pregnancy and then decrease until delivery.
High levels of MSAFP may indicate neural tube defects, multiple pregnancies, incorrect dating of pregnancy, or other conditions. Low levels of MSAFP may indicate Down syndrome, other chromosomal abnormalities, or other conditions.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The test involves an ultrasound and a nonstress test.
A biophysical profile (BPP) is a way to check on the overall fetal health by observing the fetus’s heart rate, breathing, movement, muscle tone, and the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus in the uterus.
It is typically performed after 28 weeks of pregnancy, especially for high-risk pregnancies or if there is a chance of complications.
Choice B is wrong because a contraction stress test is not part of a BPP.
A contraction stress test measures how the fetus’s heart rate changes during contractions induced by oxytocin or nipple stimulation.
It is a different test from a nonstress test, which measures the fetus’s heart rate while moving and at rest without any stimulation.
Choice C is wrong because a Doppler ultrasound is not part of a BPP.
A Doppler ultrasound uses sound waves to measure the blood flow in the umbilical cord and other blood vessels.
It is a different type of ultrasound from the one used in a BPP, which uses sound waves to create images of the fetus and the amniotic fluid.
Choice D is wrong because it combines two incorrect components from choices B and C. A BPP does not involve a Doppler ultrasound or a contraction stress test.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
There are no known risks or complications for the pregnant person or the fetus.
Prenatal ultrasound is a safe and noninvasive procedure that uses sound waves to create images of the fetus and the placenta.
It does not use radiation or harm the fetal tissues.
Choice A is wrong because ultrasound does not cause harm to the fetus.
There is no evidence that ultrasound has any adverse effects on fetal development, growth, or health.
Choice C is wrong because pregnant individuals do not need to avoid ultrasound due to potential radiation exposure.
Ultrasound does not involve radiation, unlike x-rays or CT scans.
Choice D is wrong because ultrasound does not lead to miscarriage or preterm labor.
Ultrasound is not associated with any increased risk of pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage, preterm labor, or birth defects.
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