Chapter 9: Assessing the Fetus

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?

Which analysis of maternal serum is the best predictor of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus?

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?

What point in the pregnancy is the most accurate time to determine gestational age through ultrasound?

The primary reason for evaluating alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in maternal serum is to determine whether the fetus has which condition?

When is the earliest interval that chorionic villus sampling (CVS) can be performed during pregnancy?

Which aspect of fetal diagnostic testing is most important to expectant parents?

The nurse’s role in diagnostic testing is to provide which of the following?

Which factors should be considered a contraindication for transcervical chorionic villus sampling?

What is the purpose of amniocentesis for a patient hospitalized at 34 weeks of gestation with pregnancy-induced hypertension?

What does optimal nursing care after an amniocentesis include?

What is the term for a nonstress test in which there are two or more fetal heart rate accelerations of 15 or more beats per minute (BPM) with fetal movement in a 20-minute period?

What is the purpose of initiating contractions in a contraction stress test (CST)?

A biophysical profile is performed on a pregnant patient. The following assessments are noted: nonreactive stress test (NST), three episodes of fetal breathing movements (FBMs), limited gross movements, opening and closing of hang indicating the presence of fetal tone, and adequate amniotic fluid index (AFI) meeting criteria. Which answer would be the correct interpretation of this test result?

In preparing a pregnant patient for a nonstress test (NST), which of the following should be included in the plan of care?

The results of a contraction stress test (CST) are positive. Which intervention is necessary based on this test result?

A pregnant patient has received the results of her triple-screen testing and it is positive. She provides you with a copy of the test results that she obtained from the lab. What would the nurse anticipate as being implemented in the patient’s plan of care?

A pregnant woman is scheduled to undergo chorionic villus sampling (CVS) based on genetic family history. Which medication does the nurse anticipate will be administered?

For which patient would an L/S ratio of 2:1 potentially be considered abnormal?

Which complication could occur as a result of percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS)?

A newly pregnant patient tells the nurse that she has irregular periods and is unsure of when she got pregnant. Scheduling an ultrasound is a standing prescription for the patient’s health care provider. When is the best time for the nurse to schedule the patient’s ultrasound?

The nurse is reviewing the procedure for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) screening with a patient at 16 weeks’ gestation. The nurse determines that the patient understands the teaching when she states that will be collected for the initial screening process?

A patient at 36 weeks gestation is undergoing a nonstress (NST) test. The nurse observes the fetal heart rate baseline at 135 beats per minute (bpm) and four nonepisodic patterns of the fetal heart rate reaching 160 bpm for periods of 20 to 25 seconds each. How will the nurse record these findings?

Which clinical conditions are associated with increased levels of alpha fetoprotein (AFP)? (Select all that apply.)

Transvaginal ultrasonography is often performed during the first trimester. A 6-week-gestation patient expresses concerns over the necessity for this test. The nurse should explain that this diagnostic test may be necessary to determine which of the following? (Select all that apply.)

A woman who is 36 weeks pregnant asks the nurse to explain the vibroacoustic stimulator (VAS) test. Which should the nurse include in the response? (Select all that apply.)

The nurse is preparing a patient for a nonstress test (NST). Which interventions should the nurse plan to implement? (Select all that apply.)

The nurse is instructing a patient on how to perform kick counts. Which information should the nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.)