A nurse is educating a pregnant client about the Alpha-fetoprotein Test (AFP).
What should the nurse include as a reason why AFP results are reported as multiples of the median (MoM)?
To compare the measured level of AFP to the expected level for a given gestational age.
To differentiate between neural tube defects and chromosomal abnormalities.
To assess the risk of fetal demise or multiple gestation.
To account for factors such as maternal weight and race.
The Correct Answer is A
This is because AFP levels vary according to the gestational age of the fetus, and reporting them as multiples of the median (MoM) allows for a standardized comparison.
Choice B is wrong because AFP results do not differentiate between neural tube defects and chromosomal abnormalities.
They only indicate an increased risk for these conditions, which need further testing to confirm.
Choice C is wrong because AFP results do not assess the risk of fetal demise or multiple gestation.
They only measure the amount of AFP in the maternal blood, which can be affected by various factors such as maternal weight, race, diabetes, and fetal anomalies.
Choice D is wrong because AFP results are reported as MoM regardless of factors such as maternal weight and race.
These factors are taken into account when calculating the MoM value, which adjusts for the expected variation in AFP levels among different populations.
Normal ranges for AFP MoM vary depending on the laboratory and the method used, but generally they are between 0.5 and 2.52.
Values above or below this range may indicate an increased risk for certain fetal conditions or complications.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
According to the ACOG guidelines on antepartum fetal surveillance, one of the components of the biophysical profile is fetal breathing movements, which are scored as 2 points if there is one or more episodes of rhythmic fetal breathing movements of 30 seconds or more within 30 minutes.
Choice A is wrong because 0 points are given for absent or no breathing episode for ≥30 seconds within a 30 minute observation period.
Choice B is wrong because there is no 1 point score for this variable.
Choice D is wrong because there is no 3 point score for this variable.
The maximum score for each variable is 2 points.
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.
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