A nurse is teaching about fetal development to a group of clients in the antenatal clinic.
Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?
“The baby’s heart beat is audible by a Doppler stethoscope at 12 weeks of pregnancy.”
“The baby’s sex can be determined by ultrasound at 8 weeks of pregnancy.”
“The baby’s lungs are fully mature by 24 weeks of pregnancy.”
“The baby’s eyes open and close by 16 weeks of pregnancy.”
The Correct Answer is A
The baby’s heart beat is audible by a Doppler stethoscope at 12 weeks of pregnancy.
This is a device that uses sound waves to create an image of the baby’s heart and measure its rate and rhythm.
Some possible explanations for the other choices are:
Choice B is wrong because the baby’s sex can not be determined by ultrasound at 8 weeks of pregnancy.
The external genitalia are not fully developed until around 14 to 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Even then, the accuracy of ultrasound depends on factors such as the position of the baby, the quality of the equipment, and the skill of the sonographer.
Choice C is wrong because the baby’s lungs are not fully mature by 24 weeks of pregnancy.
The lungs are one of the last organs to develop in the fetus and they continue to grow and mature until near term.
The production of surfactant, a substance that helps the lungs expand and prevent collapse, begins around 24 weeks but is not sufficient until around 34 to 36 weeks.
Choice D is wrong because the baby’s eyes do not open and close by 16 weeks of pregnancy.
The eyelids are fused together until around 26 to 28 weeks of pregnancy, when they start to open and close periodically.
The baby can also respond to light and dark stimuli around this time.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
This is because a nuchal translucency ultrasound measures the amount of fluid behind the baby’s neck in the first trimester of pregnancy, which can indicate the risk of having a chromosomal condition like Down syndrome.
Some possible explanations for the other choices are:
Choice A is wrong because fetal growth and development are not directly related to the nuchal translucency measurement.
Fetal growth and development are assessed by other parameters such as crown-rump length, biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference, etc.
Choice B is wrong because blood flow in the umbilical cord is not measured by the nuchal translucency ultrasound.
Blood flow in the umbilical cord is assessed by Doppler ultrasound, which evaluates the resistance and velocity of blood flow in the umbilical artery and vein.
Choice D is wrong because structural abnormalities in the baby’s organs are not detected by the nuchal translucency ultrasound.
Structural abnormalities in the baby’s organs are diagnosed by a detailed anatomy scan, which is usually performed in the second trimester of pregnancy.
The normal range for nuchal translucency is between 1 mm and 3 mm.
A measurement above 3 mm is considered increased and may indicate a higher risk of chromosomal or genetic conditions.
However, a nuchal translucency ultrasound is a screening test and not a diagnostic test, so it does not confirm or rule out any condition.
It only provides a probability based on statistical calculations.
Therefore, further testing may be recommended if the nuchal translucency measurement is increased or if other risk factors are present.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The woman should drink several glasses of water before the abdominal ultrasound procedure.
This is because a full bladder helps to push the intestines away and improve the visibility of the uterus and the fetus.
Drinking water also helps to avoid gas buildup in the abdomen, which could interfere with the sound waves.
Choice B is wrong because emptying the bladder would make it harder to see the uterus and the fetus.
Choice C is wrong because lying on the right side would not affect the quality of the ultrasound image.
Choice D is wrong because fasting is not necessary for an abdominal ultrasound, unless instructed by the doctor for a specific reason.
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