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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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
This is a contraindication for the Contraction Stress Test (CST) because it increases the risk of infection and umbilical cord prolapse.
A CST is a test that measures the baby’s heart rate during uterine contractions induced by oxytocin or nipple stimulation.
Choice A is wrong because gestational diabetes is not a contraindication for the CST.
It is a condition that affects how the body processes glucose during pregnancy and may cause complications such as macrosomia (large baby), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or preeclampsia (high blood pressure and protein in urine).
Choice B is wrong because mild preeclampsia is not a contraindication for the CST.
It is a condition that causes high blood pressure and protein in urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy and may affect the placenta, kidneys, liver or brain.
Choice C is wrong because preterm labor is a relative contraindication for the CST, not an absolute one.
It means that the test may be performed if the benefits outweigh the risks, but it should be avoided if possible because it may trigger early labor or delivery.
Preterm labor is defined as regular uterine contractions with cervical changes before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Normal ranges for blood pressure are below 120/80 mmHg, for glucose are 70-100 mg/dL (fasting) or below 140 mg/dL (2 hours after eating), and for protein in urine are less than 300 mg/24 hours.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is choice B. Monitor fetal heart rate.
This is because cramping and vaginal bleeding after amniocentesis are signs of possible complications such as miscarriage, preterm labor, or injury to the fetus.
Monitoring fetal heart rate can help assess the well-being of the fetus and detect any signs of distress.
Choice A is wrong because administering Rho(D) immunoglobulin is only necessary if the mother has Rh-negative blood and the baby has Rh-positive blood, which can cause Rh sensitization.
This is not given routinely to all women who have amniocentesis.
Choice C is wrong because assessing maternal vital signs is not the first priority when there is a risk of fetal compromise.
Maternal vital signs can be affected by many factors and are not specific indicators of fetal health.
Choice D is wrong because obtaining an order for an ultrasound exam is not the first action to take.
An ultrasound exam can help confirm the diagnosis of complications such as placental abruption or fetal demise, but it requires time and equipment that might delay immediate intervention.
Monitoring fetal heart rate can be done quickly and easily at the bedside.
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