A nurse is assisting in the care of a client who is scheduled for a cesarean birth based on the fetal lungs having reached maturity. Which of the following findings indicates that the fetal lungs are mature?
Phosphatidylglycerol (PG) absent
Nonstress test is reactive
Lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio of 2:1
Biophysical profile score of 8
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale: The presence of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) in the amniotic fluid is another indicator of fetal lung maturity. The absence of PG is associated with an increased risk of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in the newborn.
Choice B rationale: A nonstress test is a test performed during pregnancy to evaluate the fetal heart rate in response to fetal movement. It is not directly related to assessing fetal lung maturity.
Choice C rationale: The L/S ratio is an important indicator of fetal lung maturity. Lecithin and sphingomyelin are two surfactants present in the lungs, and the ratio of these two substances increases as the fetal lungs mature. An L/S ratio of 2:1 or greater is considered an indication of lung maturity and suggests that the newborn should be able to breathe adequately after birth.
Choice D rationale: The biophysical profile (BPP) is a prenatal ultrasound assessment of the fetus, which includes evaluating fetal movements, breathing, heart rate, and amniotic fluid volume. While a BPP of 8 is a reassuring score, it does not provide direct information about fetal lung maturity.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Primipara refers to a woman who is giving birth for the first time. While being a primipara may have some implications for the birthing process, it is not a cause of the newborn being small for gestational age.
Choice B rationale:
Maternal obesity may have various effects on pregnancy, but it is not specifically a direct cause of the newborn being small for gestational age.
Choice C rationale:
Perinatal asphyxia refers to a lack of oxygen or oxygen deprivation around the time of birth. While this can lead to various health issues for the newborn, it is not a primary cause of being small for gestational age.
Choice D rationale:
Placental insufficiency occurs when the placenta does not function adequately to provide sufficient oxygen and nutrients to the developing fetus. This can result in the newborn being small for gestational age due to restricted growth in the womb.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale: Kernicterus is a severe form of jaundice that can result from untreated hyperbilirubinemia in a newborn. The indirect Coombs test does not assess the risk of kernicterus specifically.
Choice B rationale: The indirect Coombs test detects Rh-negative antibodies in the mother's blood, not Rh-positive antibodies.
Choice C rationale: The indirect Coombs test, also known as the indirect antiglobulin test (IAT), is performed on a pregnant woman to detect the presence of Rh-negative antibodies in her blood. If the mother is Rh-negative and has been sensitized to Rh-positive blood, these antibodies can cross the placenta and attack the red blood cells of an Rh-positive fetus, potentially causing hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) or erythroblastosis fetalis.
Choice D rationale: The direct Coombs test (direct antiglobulin test) is used to detect the presence of maternal antibodies that have already been attached to the newborn's red blood cells. The indirect Coombs test is used to identify the presence of these antibodies in the mother's blood before they have attached to the newborn's red blood cells.
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