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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
An alpha-fetoprotein test (AFP) is a blood test that measures the amount of AFP present in blood.
It’s usually part of what’s called a triple screen or quad screen in the second trimester of pregnancy.
The yolk sac, GI tract, and liver of an unborn baby produce AFP.
It then circulates through the fetal and maternal blood.
High levels of AFP in pregnant people can indicate that the baby has a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida or anencephaly.
Choice B is wrong because assessing placental function is not the primary purpose of an AFP test.
However, low levels of AFP can indicate problems with the placenta or the baby’s growth.
Choice C is wrong because determining fetal gender is not the primary purpose of an AFP test.
However, some genetic tests that use a sample of the baby’s DNA from the pregnant person’s blood can reveal the baby’s sex as early as 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Choice D is wrong because diagnosing chromosomal abnormalities is not the primary purpose of an AFP test.
However, an AFP test is usually part of a quad screen that also tests for other markers that can indicate the risk of chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Each of the five variables in a biophysical profile (BPP) is assigned a score of either 0 or 2 points, depending on whether it meets the criteria or not.
The five variables are:
Fetal breathing: 2 points if there is at least one episode of rhythmic breathing lasting at least 30 seconds within 30 minutes, 0 points otherwise.
Fetal movement: 2 points if there are at least three discrete body or limb movements within 30 minutes, 0 points otherwise.
Fetal tone: 2 points if there is at least one episode of extremity extension and subsequent return to flexion, 0 points otherwise.
Amniotic fluid volume: 2 points if there is a pocket of amniotic fluid measuring at least 2 cm in two perpendicular planes, 0 points otherwise.
Nonstress test: 2 points if there are at least two accelerations of fetal heart rate with or without fetal movement within 20 minutes, 0 points otherwise.
Choice A is wrong because each variable can have a score of either 0 or 2, not 0 or.
Choice C is wrong because there is no score of 1 for any variable.
Choice D is wrong because it is incomplete and does not provide the full range of possible scores.
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