A nurse is discussing the factors that can affect Alpha-fetoprotein Test (AFP) results with a pregnant client.
Which factor should the nurse mention?
Maternal weight.
Fetal heart rate.
Gestational age.
Placental function.
The Correct Answer is C
The level of AFP in a pregnant woman’s blood depends on how far along she is in her pregnancy.
AFP levels are normally high in the early weeks of pregnancy and then decline as the pregnancy progresses.
If the AFP level is too high or too low for the gestational age, it may indicate a problem with the baby’s development.
Choice A is wrong because maternal weight does not affect AFP levels.
Choice B is wrong because fetal heart rate does not affect AFP levels.
Choice D is wrong because the placental function does not affect AFP levels directly, but it may affect the levels of other hormones that are measured along with AFP in a quad screen.
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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 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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