A pregnant woman undergoes maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein ...

[BrownTown3]

A pregnant woman undergoes maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) testing at 16 to 18 weeks' gestation. Which of the following would the nurse suspect if the woman's level is decreased?
 
  A) Down syndrome
  B) Sickle-cell anemia
  C) Cardiac defects
  D) Open neural tube defect

Question 2

A patient who is 28 weeks pregnant is demonstrating signs of placental insufficiency. The health care provider prescribes betamethasone. What should the nurse inform the patient regarding the purpose of this medication?
 
  A) It stops premature labor.
  B) It improves functioning of the placenta.
  C) It potentiates the formation of surfactant.
  D) It improves immunologic function of the fetus.

[amy.lauersdorf90]

Answer to Question 1

A
Feedback:
Decreased levels might indicate Down syndrome or trisomy 18 . Sickle cell anemia may be identified by chorionic villus sampling. MSAFP levels would be increased with cardiac defects, such as tetralogy of Fallot. A triple marker test would be used to determine an open neural tube defect.

Answer to Question 2

C
Feedback:
Synthetically increasing steroid levels in the fetus through the use of betamethasone can hurry alveolar maturation and surfactant production without interfering with permanent lung function prior to a preterm birth. Surfactant is formed and excreted by the alveolar cells of the lungs at about the 24th week of pregnancy, decreases alveolar surface tension on expiration, prevents alveolar collapse, and improves the infant's ability to maintain respirations in the outside environment at birth. Betamethasone is not being given to this patient to stop premature labor, improve the function of the placenta, or improve immunologic function of the fetus.

[BrownTown3]

Excellent

[bulacsom]

TYSM