A nurse is preparing a client for a Contraction Stress Test (CST).

Which method can be used to induce uterine contractions during the test?

A low level of AFP (<0.5 MoM) in a pregnant woman can indicate that the fetus has a chromosomal abnormality, such as Down syndrome or Edwards syndrome.

This is because these conditions affect the development of the fetal liver, which produces AFP.

Choice A is wrong because neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, are associated with high levels of AFP (>2.5 MoM) in the maternal blood.

This is because AFP can leak from the open spinal canal of the fetus into the amniotic fluid and then into the maternal blood.

Choice C is wrong because maternal weight-related factors do not affect the level of AFP in the maternal blood.

However, they can affect the interpretation of the AFP test results, as the test needs to be adjusted for maternal weight, age, ethnicity, and gestational age.

Choice D is wrong because fetal demise (death) can also cause high levels of AFP in the maternal blood, as the AFP from the dead fetus can leak into the amniotic fluid and then into the maternal blood.

Normal ranges of AFP in pregnant women vary depending on the gestational age and the method of measurement.

Generally, normal levels of AFP are below 10 ng/ml in nonpregnant adults and below 2.5 MoM in pregnant women.

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.