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
The test involves an ultrasound and a nonstress test.
A biophysical profile (BPP) is a way to check on the overall fetal health by observing the fetus’s heart rate, breathing, movement, muscle tone, and the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus in the uterus.
It is typically performed after 28 weeks of pregnancy, especially for high-risk pregnancies or if there is a chance of complications.
Choice B is wrong because a contraction stress test is not part of a BPP.
A contraction stress test measures how the fetus’s heart rate changes during contractions induced by oxytocin or nipple stimulation.
It is a different test from a nonstress test, which measures the fetus’s heart rate while moving and at rest without any stimulation.
Choice C is wrong because a Doppler ultrasound is not part of a BPP.
A Doppler ultrasound uses sound waves to measure the blood flow in the umbilical cord and other blood vessels.
It is a different type of ultrasound from the one used in a BPP, which uses sound waves to create images of the fetus and the amniotic fluid.
Choice D is wrong because it combines two incorrect components from choices B and C. A BPP does not involve a Doppler ultrasound or a contraction stress test.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
An NST is a test that measures the fetal heart rate in response to fetal movement.
It is a non-invasive and simple way to assess fetal well-being.
An NST may be recommended to further evaluate fetal well-being if the CST result is equivocal, meaning that occasional but not persistent late decelerations are present.
Choice B. Amniocentesis is wrong because it is an invasive procedure that involves inserting a needle into the uterus to collect amniotic fluid for genetic testing or fetal lung maturity.
It is not used to evaluate fetal well-being in response to contractions.
Choice C. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is wrong because it is an imaging technique that uses magnetic fields to create detailed pictures of the fetus and the placenta.
It is not used to evaluate fetal well-being in response to contractions.
Choice D. Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is wrong because it is an invasive procedure that involves inserting a catheter or a needle into the placenta to collect chorionic villi for genetic testing.
It is not used to evaluate fetal well-being in response to contractions.
Normal ranges for CST are negative (normal) or positive (abnormal).
Equivocal and unsatisfactory are special categories of test outcomes that require further testing.
Normal ranges for NST are reactive (reassuring) ornon-reactive (non-reassuring).
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