What is an individual’s genetic makeup known as?

Answer and explanation

The correct answer is B. Aspiration of stomach contents.

Choice A rationale:

Respiratory depression is a potential risk of general anesthesia, but it is not the greatest risk in this scenario.

It is usually well-managed by the anesthesiologist during surgery.

They will closely monitor the patient's respiratory status and adjust the level of anesthesia as needed to maintain adequate breathing.

If respiratory depression does occur, it can be quickly reversed with medications.

Choice B rationale:

Aspiration of stomach contents is the most serious risk of general anesthesia in pregnant women.

This is because pregnancy causes a number of changes in the gastrointestinal system that increase the risk of aspiration:

The growing uterus puts pressure on the stomach, which can cause stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus.

Pregnancy hormones can relax the esophageal sphincter, which is the muscle that normally prevents food and stomach acid from coming back up the esophagus.

Labor can further delay gastric emptying, leading to a higher volume of stomach contents.

If stomach contents are aspirated into the lungs, it can cause a serious and potentially fatal condition called aspiration pneumonia.

It is important to note that aspiration can occur even if a woman has been fasting before surgery.

This is because the stomach never completely empties, and there is always some risk of reflux.

Choice C rationale:

Uterine relaxation is a potential side effect of some general anesthetic agents, but it is not a major risk in this scenario.

The anesthesiologist will choose an anesthetic agent that is less likely to cause uterine relaxation.

Additionally, they will closely monitor the patient's uterine tone and can administer medications to stimulate the uterus if necessary.

Choice D rationale:

Inadequate muscle relaxation is not a major risk of general anesthesia in this scenario.

The anesthesiologist will ensure that the patient's muscles are adequately relaxed to facilitate surgery.

Choice A rationale:

This response is incorrect because newborn screening tests do not determine blood type. Blood type is typically determined through a separate blood test, such as an ABO and Rh typing test.

While knowing a baby's blood type is important for medical reasons, it's not the primary purpose of newborn screening.

Focusing solely on blood type could mislead parents about the broader scope of conditions that newborn screening aims to identify.

Choice B rationale:

This response is incorrect because newborn screening tests are not diagnostic tests. They are screening tests, which means they identify babies who may be at risk for certain diseases, but they do not confirm whether or not a baby actually has a disease.

Diagnostic tests are typically more specific and are performed after a screening test has indicated a potential problem.

It's crucial to clarify the distinction between screening and diagnosis to avoid causing undue alarm or confusion for parents.

Choice C rationale:

This is the correct response. It accurately explains that newborn screening tests are routine procedures that are performed to detect babies who may be at risk for developing certain diseases.

The emphasis on "risk" is important because it highlights that a positive screening result does not necessarily mean that a baby has a disease, but rather that further testing is needed to confirm the diagnosis.

This response also avoids making assumptions about the parents' carrier status, which is a sensitive topic that should be addressed with care and discretion.

Choice D rationale:

This response is incorrect because it assumes that the parents are carriers for a disease, which may not be the case.

Even if the parents are carriers, newborn screening tests are not designed to specifically determine whether a disease has been passed down from parent to child.

Making such assumptions could create unnecessary anxiety or confusion for parents, and it's important to provide information that is accurate and relevant to their specific situation.