During a prenatal visit, a pregnant client asks the nurse about the timing of the Alpha-fetoprotein Test (AFP).

What is the appropriate response?

The AFP test can result in false-positive or false-negative findings.This means that the test may show a high or low level of AFP when there is no problem with the baby, or it may show a normal level of AFP when there is a problem with the baby.

False-positive results can cause unnecessary worry and further testing, while false-negative results can delay diagnosis and treatment of a serious condition.

Choice A is wrong because the AFP test carries some risks or complications for the mother or the fetus.The test involves drawing blood from a vein in the mother’s arm, which can cause bleeding, bruising, infection, or fainting at the puncture site.The test may also cause anxiety or stress for the mother if the results are abnormal.

Choice B is wrong because the AFP test may cause bleeding or infection at the blood draw site, but this is not the only risk or complication associated with the test.

As mentioned above, the test can also result in false-positive or false-negative findings, which can have serious consequences for the mother and the baby.

Choice D is wrong because the AFP test may induce preterm labor or premature rupture of membranes.This is a very rare complication that can occur if the test is done by amniocentesis, which involves inserting a needle into the uterus to collect amniotic fluid.However, most AFP tests are done by blood tests, which do not pose this risk.

Normal ranges for AFP levels vary depending on the gestational age of the baby and the laboratory that performs the test.Generally, AFP levels increase until about 15 weeks of pregnancy and then decrease until delivery.The normal range for AFP levels at 16–18 weeks of pregnancy is about 10–150 ng/mL.

However, different laboratories may use different units or methods to measure AFP levels, so it is important to compare your results with the reference values provided by your laboratory.

The AFP test is usually performed between 20 and 24 weeks of gestation.

This test is a screening tool that measures the level of AFP in the blood of a pregnant woman.It can help detect some genetic disorders or neural tube defects in the fetus.

Choice A is wrong because the AFP test is not typically performed during the first trimester.It is most accurate between the 16th and 18th weeks of pregnancy.

Choice C is wrong because the AFP test is not done at the same time as the glucose tolerance test.The glucose tolerance test is usually done between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy to check for gestational diabetes.

Choice D is wrong because the AFP test is not performed in the immediate postpartum period.It is a prenatal screening test that is done before the baby is born.