A client asks the nurse about the risks and complications associated with prenatal ultrasound.

Which of the following responses by the nurse is accurate?

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.

The patient should wear loose-fitting clothing and lie supine on an examination table.

This is because loose-fitting clothing allows easy access to the abdomen and lying supine helps relax the abdominal muscles.

The patient should also avoid food and drinks for 8 to 12 hours before the test, as undigested food can interfere with the sound waves and affect the image quality.

Choice A is wrong because a full bladder is not necessary for an abdominal ultrasound, unless the patient is pregnant or has a pelvic condition.

A transvaginal ultrasound is a different type of ultrasound that uses a probe inserted into the vagina to examine the reproductive organs.

Choice B is wrong because tight-fitting clothing can restrict the movement of the ultrasound probe and make it harder to get a clear image.

Lying prone (on the stomach) can also tense up the abdominal muscles and obscure the organs.

Choice D is wrong because lying prone can have the same disadvantages as choice B. Additionally, wearing loose-fitting clothing does not mean that the patient can eat or drink anything before the test, as this can affect the results.