Review Alpha-fetoprotein Test (AFP)

Prenatal Diagnostic Tests And Procedures > Maternal & Newborn

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Alpha-fetoprotein Test (AFP)

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Total Questions : 5

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Question 1:

A nurse is explaining the Alpha-fetoprotein Test (AFP) to a pregnant client.

What does a high level of AFP (>2.5 MoM) potentially indicate?

A. Neural tube defect. B. Chromosomal abnormality. C. Maternal weight-related factors. D. Fetal demise.

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

A high level of AFP (>2.5 MoM) potentially indicates that the unborn baby has a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida. This is a condition where the spinal cord does not develop properly and can cause serious complications.

Choice B:

Chromosomal abnormality is wrong because a high level of AFP is not associated with chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome. In fact, a low level of AFP may indicate this type of defect.

Choice C:

Maternal weight-related factors is wrong because maternal weight does not affect the level of AFP in the blood. However, other factors such as gestational age, multiple pregnancies, and maternal diabetes can influence the AFP level.

Choice D:

Fetal demise is wrong because a high level of AFP does not indicate fetal demise or death. A very low or undetectable level of AFP may suggest this possibility.

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Question 2:

A client is scheduled for an Alpha-fetoprotein Test (AFP).

When is this test usually performed ?

A. Before 15 weeks of gestation. B. Between 15 and 20 weeks of gestation. C. After 20 weeks of gestation. D. Only if the client has diabetes mellitus.

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

Before 15 weeks of gestation, the AFP levels are too low to be measured accurately.

Choice B:

The correct answer is choice B. Between 15 and 20 weeks of gestation. This is because an AFP test is usually done between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy to check the baby’s risk for having certain genetic problems and birth defects. AFP is a protein that a developing baby makes in the liver. Normally, some AFP passes from the baby into the pregnant person’s blood.

Choice C:

After 20 weeks of gestation, the AFP levels start to decline and may not reflect the fetal condition.

Choice D:

An AFP test is not only for people who have diabetes mellitus. It is routinely offered to all pregnant people between the 15th and 20th week of pregnancy. Diabetes mellitus may affect the accuracy of the test, but it is not a requirement for having it.

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Question 3:

During a prenatal visit, a pregnant client asks the nurse about the timing of the Alpha-fetoprotein Test (AFP).

What is the appropriate response?

A. "The AFP test is typically performed during the first trimester.". B. "The AFP test is usually performed between 20 and 24 weeks of gestation.". C. "The AFP test is done at the same time as the glucose tolerance test.". D. "The AFP test is performed in the immediate postpartum period.".

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

The AFP test is not typically performed during the first trimester. It is most accurate between the 16th and 18th weeks of pregnancy.

Choice B:

The AFP test is usually performed between 20 and 24 weeks of gestation. This test is a screening tool that measures the level of AFP in the blood of a pregnant woman. It can help detect some genetic disorders or neural tube defects in the fetus.

Choice C:

The AFP test is not done at the same time as the glucose tolerance test. The glucose tolerance test is usually done between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy to check for gestational diabetes.

Choice D:

The AFP test is not performed in the immediate postpartum period. It is a prenatal screening test that is done before the baby is born.

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Question 4:

During a discussion about the Alpha-fetoprotein Test (AFP), a pregnant client asks about the risks associated with the test.

What is the appropriate response by the nurse?

A. "The AFP test carries no risks or complications for you or the fetus.". B. "The AFP test may cause bleeding or infection at the blood draw site.". C. "The AFP test can result in false-positive or false-negative findings.". D. "The AFP test may induce preterm labor or premature rupture of membranes.".

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

The AFP test carries some risks or complications for the mother or the fetus. The test involves drawing blood from a vein in the mother’s arm, which can cause bleeding, bruising, infection, or fainting at the puncture site. The test may also cause anxiety or stress for the mother if the results are abnormal.

Choice B:

The AFP test may cause bleeding or infection at the blood draw site, but this is not the only risk or complication associated with the test. As mentioned above, the test can also result in false-positive or false-negative findings, which can have serious consequences for the mother and the baby.

Choice C:

The AFP test can result in false-positive or false-negative findings. This means that the test may show a high or low level of AFP when there is no problem with the baby, or it may show a normal level of AFP when there is a problem with the baby. False-positive results can cause unnecessary worry and further testing, while false-negative results can delay diagnosis and treatment of a serious condition.

Choice D:

The AFP test may induce preterm labor or premature rupture of membranes. This is a very rare complication that can occur if the test is done by amniocentesis, which involves inserting a needle into the uterus to collect amniotic fluid. However, most AFP tests are done by blood tests, which do not pose this risk.

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Question 5:

A nurse is discussing the limitations of the Alpha-fetoprotein Test (AFP) with a pregnant client.

What should the nurse include as a limitation of this test?

A. The inability to detect neural tube defects. B. The potential risk of preterm labor. C. The need for invasive procedures for confirmation. D. The high cost of the test

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

The AFP test can detect neural tube defects, such as spina bifida or anencephaly.

Choice B:

The AFP test does not pose any risk of preterm labor. It is a simple blood test that does not affect the pregnancy.

Choice C:

An AFP test is a blood test that measures the amount of AFP present in blood. It’s usually part of a screening test for genetic problems and birth defects in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Choice D:

The AFP test is not very expensive and is usually covered by insurance.

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Alpha-fetoprotein Test (AFP)

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