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 C
Explanation
According to the ACOG guidelines on antepartum fetal surveillance, one of the components of the biophysical profile is fetal breathing movements, which are scored as 2 points if there is one or more episodes of rhythmic fetal breathing movements of 30 seconds or more within 30 minutes.
Choice A is wrong because 0 points are given for absent or no breathing episode for ≥30 seconds within a 30 minute observation period.
Choice B is wrong because there is no 1 point score for this variable.
Choice D is wrong because there is no 3 point score for this variable.
The maximum score for each variable is 2 points.
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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