A nurse is performing an abdominal ultrasound for a client who is at 28 weeks of gestation.
The nurse should instruct the client to do which of the following before the procedure?
Drink several glasses of water.
Empty her bladder completely.
Lie on her right side
Fast for at least 4 hours.
The Correct Answer is A
The woman should drink several glasses of water before the abdominal ultrasound procedure.
This is because a full bladder helps to push the intestines away and improve the visibility of the uterus and the fetus.
Drinking water also helps to avoid gas buildup in the abdomen, which could interfere with the sound waves.
Choice B is wrong because emptying the bladder would make it harder to see the uterus and the fetus.
Choice C is wrong because lying on the right side would not affect the quality of the ultrasound image.
Choice D is wrong because fasting is not necessary for an abdominal ultrasound, unless instructed by the doctor for a specific reason.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
"It is a screening test for spinal defects in the fetus."
The MSAFP test is a blood test that measures the amount of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the mother’s blood.
AFP is a protein produced by the baby during pregnancy.The test helps to assess the baby’s risk of certain birth defects, such as neural tube defects, which are abnormalities in the development of the brain and spine.
A. “It is a diagnostic test for spinal defects in the fetus.” This statement is wrong because the MSAFP test is not a diagnostic test.
It only indicates the probability of having a spinal defect, but it does not confirm or rule out the condition.A diagnostic test, such as an ultrasound or amniocentesis, is needed to make a definitive diagnosis.
C. “It is a diagnostic test for chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus.” This statement is wrong because the MSAFP test is not a diagnostic test for chromosomal abnormalities either.
It only indicates the probability of having a chromosomal abnormality, such as Down syndrome, but it does not confirm or rule out the condition.A diagnostic test, such as a chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis, is needed to make a definitive diagnosis.
D. “It is a screening test for chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus.” This statement is partially correct, but not the best answer.
The MSAFP test alone is not very accurate for screening chromosomal abnormalities.It is usually combined with other blood tests and an ultrasound to form a more reliable screening test called a quad screen or an integrated screen.
The normal range of MSAFP levels varies depending on the gestational age of the baby and the laboratory methods used.Generally, the MSAFP levels increase until about 15 weeks of pregnancy and then decrease until delivery.The average MSAFP level at 15 weeks of pregnancy is about 38 ng/mL.However, different laboratories may have different reference ranges, so it is important to consult your healthcare provider for your specific results and interpretation.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The baby’s heart beat is audible by a Doppler stethoscope at 12 weeks of pregnancy.
This is a device that uses sound waves to create an image of the baby’s heart and measure its rate and rhythm.
Some possible explanations for the other choices are:
Choice B is wrong because the baby’s sex can not be determined by ultrasound at 8 weeks of pregnancy.
The external genitalia are not fully developed until around 14 to 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Even then, the accuracy of ultrasound depends on factors such as the position of the baby, the quality of the equipment, and the skill of the sonographer.
Choice C is wrong because the baby’s lungs are not fully mature by 24 weeks of pregnancy.
The lungs are one of the last organs to develop in the fetus and they continue to grow and mature until near term.
The production of surfactant, a substance that helps the lungs expand and prevent collapse, begins around 24 weeks but is not sufficient until around 34 to 36 weeks.
Choice D is wrong because the baby’s eyes do not open and close by 16 weeks of pregnancy.
The eyelids are fused together until around 26 to 28 weeks of pregnancy, when they start to open and close periodically.
The baby can also respond to light and dark stimuli around this time.
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