A client's Alpha-fetoprotein Test (AFP) result is reported as 1.2 MoM.
How should the nurse interpret this result?
Normal level of AFP for the given gestational age.
High level of AFP indicating a neural tube defect.
Low level of AFP indicating a chromosomal abnormality.
Inconclusive result, requiring further evaluation.
The Correct Answer is A
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
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
This finding indicates that the umbilical cord is being compressed, which can reduce the blood flow and oxygen supply to the fetus.
Variable decelerations are abrupt decreases in the fetal heart rate (FHR) that vary in shape, duration, and degree of fall below the baseline.
They are seen as W- or U-shaped waves on the monitor.
Choice B is wrong because fetal hypoxia is not indicated by variable decelerations, but by late decelerations, which are gradual decreases in the FHR that begin after the peak of the contraction and return to baseline after the contraction ends.
Late decelerations are associated with uteroplacental insufficiency, which means that the placenta is not delivering enough oxygen to the fetus.
Choice C is wrong because normal placental function is not indicated by variable decelerations, but by reassuring FHR patterns, such as moderate variability (6 to 25 beats per minute) and accelerations (increases in the FHR above the baseline).
Normal placental function ensures adequate fetal oxygenation and well-being.
Choice D is wrong because adequate fetal oxygenation is not indicated by variable decelerations, but by reassuring FHR patterns, such as moderate variability and accelerations.
Adequate fetal oxygenation means that the fetus is not experiencing hypoxia or distress.
Normal ranges for FHR are 110 to 160 beats per minute at term and 120 to 160 beats per minute before term.
Normal ranges for uterine contractions are 2 to 5 contractions in 10 minutes, lasting less than 90 seconds each.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
This test can detect genetic disorders.
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a prenatal test that involves taking a sample of tissue from the placenta to test for chromosomal abnormalities and certain other genetic problems.
The placenta is a structure in the uterus that provides blood and nutrients from the mother to the fetus.
Choice A is wrong because CVS does not provide information on neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.
For this reason, women who undergo CVS also need a follow-up blood test between 16 to 18 weeks of their pregnancy to screen for neural tube defects.
Choice C is wrong because CVS can detect chromosomal abnormalities, but not all chromosomal abnormalities are genetic disorders.
For example, Down syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality that occurs randomly and is not inherited from the parents.
Choice D is wrong because CVS cannot detect Rh sensitization, which is a condition where the mother’s immune system produces antibodies against the fetus’s blood cells.
Rh sensitization can be detected by a blood test that measures the level of antibodies in the mother’s blood.
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