A nurse is caring for a client who had chorionic villus sampling (CVS) performed at 12 weeks’ gestation and asks when she can expect results from this test.

The nurse should inform her that results are typically available within which timeframe?

A maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein test is a type of prenatal blood test that measures the levels of MSAFP in the blood of a pregnant person.The test helps the healthcare provider assess the baby’s risk of certain medical conditions, such as neural tube defects and chromosomal abnormalities.The test is usually done between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy.

A screening test means that it does not diagnose any health conditions, but only indicates the probability of having them.

A positive test means that the baby has a higher risk of having a birth defect, but it does not confirm it.

A negative test means that the baby has a lower risk of having a birth defect, but it does not rule it out.Further tests are needed to confirm or exclude the diagnosis.

A diagnostic test means that it can provide a definite diagnosis of a health condition.A maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein test is not a diagnostic test for spinal defects or chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus.

Statement A is wrong because it says that the test is a diagnostic test for spinal defects in the fetus, which is not true.

Statement C is wrong because it says that the test is a diagnostic test for chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus, which is not true.

Statement D is wrong because it says that the test is a screening test for chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus, which is only partially true.The test can screen for some chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome, but not all of them.

The test also screens for neural tube defects, which are not chromosomal abnormalities.

Normal ranges for MSAFP vary depending on the gestational age and the laboratory methods used.Generally, MSAFP levels increase until about 32 weeks of pregnancy and then decrease until delivery.

High levels of MSAFP may indicate neural tube defects, multiple pregnancies, incorrect dating of pregnancy, or other conditions.Low levels of MSAFP may indicate Down syndrome, other chromosomal abnormalities, or other conditions.

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.