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

Which of the following responses by the nurse is accurate?

Normal level of AFP for the given gestational age.

AFP is a protein that the liver makes when its cells are growing and dividing to make new cells.

It is normally high in unborn babies and drops very low after birth.

The AFP test measures the amount of AFP present in blood and can help diagnose certain types of cancer and check how well treatment is working.

It can also help detect some birth defects in pregnant women.

Choice B is wrong because high level of AFP indicating a neural tube defect.

Neural tube defects are abnormalities that affect the brain and spinal cord of the fetus.

They can cause spina bifida, which is a condition where the spine does not close properly.

High levels of AFP can be a sign of neural tube defects, but they can also be caused by other factors, such as multiple pregnancies, inaccurate dating of pregnancy, or fetal death.

Choice C is wrong because low level of AFP indicating a chromosomal abnormality.

Chromosomal abnormalities are genetic disorders that affect the number or structure of chromosomes in the fetus.

They can cause Down syndrome, which is a condition where the fetus has an extra copy of chromosome 212.

Low levels of AFP can be a sign of chromosomal abnormalities, but they can also be caused by other factors, such as inaccurate dating of pregnancy, fetal death, or maternal obesity.

Choice D is wrong because inconclusive result, requiring further evaluation.

An inconclusive result means that the AFP level is neither too high nor too low to indicate a problem with the fetus.

It does not necessarily mean that there is something wrong with the fetus, but it may require further testing to confirm or rule out any abnormalities.

Normal ranges for AFP levels vary depending on the gestational age and the laboratory that performs the test.

Generally, the normal range for AFP levels in pregnant

A contraction stress test (CST) is a test that simulates labor contractions to see how the baby’s heart rate responds to the stress of uterine contractions.

The biggest risk of the test is that it may cause the pregnant person to go into labor before their due date.

Some possible explanations for the other choices are:

Choice B. Premature rupture of membranes.

This is a condition where the amniotic sac breaks before labor begins.

It can increase the risk of infection and cord prolapse, but it is not a direct complication of CST.

Choice C. Infection.

This is a possible risk of any invasive procedure, but CST is usually done with external fetal monitoring and oxytocin infusion, which do not require breaking the skin or entering the uterus.

Choice D. Bleeding.

This is a potential risk of CST for people who have placenta previa, a condition where the placenta covers the cervix and can detach during contractions.

However, CST is not recommended for people who have placenta previa or other conditions that increase the risk of uterine rupture or bleeding.