A pregnant patient's biophysical profile score is 8. The patient asks the nurse to explain the
results. What is the nurse's most appropriate response?
a. "The test results are within normal limits."
b. "Immediate birth by cesarean birth is being considered."
c. "Further testing will be performed to determine the meaning of this score."
d. "An obstetric specialist will evaluate the results of this profile and, within the next week, will
inform you of your options regarding birth." correct answers a
Which analysis of maternal serum is the best predictor of chromosomal abnormalities in the
fetus?
a. Biophysical profile
b. Multiple-marker screening
c. Lecithin-to-sphingomyelin ratio
d. Blood type and crossmatch of maternal and fetal serum correct answers b
The clinic nurse is obtaining a health history on a newly pregnant patient. Which is an indication
for fetal diagnostic procedures if present in the health history?
a. Maternal diabetes
b. Weight gain of 25 lb
c. Maternal age older than 30 years
d. Previous infant weighing more than 3000 g at birth correct answers a
What point in the pregnancy is the most accurate time to determine gestational age through
ultrasound?
a. First trimester
b. Second trimester
c. Third trimester
d. No difference in accuracy among the trimesters correct answers a
The primary reason for evaluating alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in maternal serum is to
determine whether the fetus has which condition?
a. Hemophilia
, b. Sickle cell anemia
c. A neural tube defect
d. Abnormal lecithin-to-sphingomyelin ratio correct answers c
When is the earliest interval that chorionic villus sampling (CVS) can be performed during
pregnancy?
a. 4 weeks
b. 8 weeks
c. 10 weeks
d. 14 weeks correct answers c
Which aspect of fetal diagnostic testing is most important to expectant parents?
a. Safety of the fetus
b. Duration of the test
c. Cost of the procedure
d. Physical discomfort caused by the procedure correct answers a
The nurse's role in diagnostic testing is to provide which of the following?
a. Advice to the couple
b. Information about the tests
c. Reassurance about fetal safety
d. Assistance with decision making correct answers b
What is the purpose of amniocentesis for a patient hospitalized at 34 weeks of gestation with
pregnancy-induced hypertension?
a. Determine if a metabolic disorder exists.
b. Identify the sex of the fetus.
c. Identify abnormal fetal cells.
d. Determine fetal lung maturity. correct answers d
What does optimal nursing care after an amniocentesis include?
a. Pushing fluids by mouth