Deck 8: Genetics and Fetal Development

Question 1

A woman is in premature labor.Lecithin-sphingomyelin (L/S)levels are being drawn.Which level would the nurse interpret as indicating lung maturity?

A)A level over 400
B)A ratio of 1:2
C)A level under 200
D)A ratio of 2:1

Answer 1

A ratio of 2:1

Question 2

During preconception counseling the nurse tells a woman that the most critical time in the development of a baby is between conception and week eight.What is the nurse's most important rationale for this statement?

A)To emphasize the need to avoid teratogenic substance while trying to get pregnant
B)To emphasize the need to do frequent pregnancy tests while trying to conceive
C)To explain why many pregnancies are spontaneously aborted in the first trimester
D)To explain the need to avoid ultrasound examinations in the first trimester

Answer 2

To emphasize the need to avoid teratogenic substance while trying to get pregnant

Question 3

Ultrasound testing reveals that a woman is carrying conjoined twins.She says,"Why did this happen? I've been so careful to take good care of myself." How should the nurse respond?

A)"There is nothing you could have done to prevent this."
B)"It probably happened before you even knew you were pregnant."
C)"There is no way to find out why it happened,but they can be separated after they are born."
D)"We know that exposure to cigarette smoke is the primary reason for conjoined twins."

Answer 3

"There is nothing you could have done to prevent this."

Question 4

A woman who works in a daycare center plans to become pregnant.She says,"I know that being around children increases my risk for getting cytomegalovirus.How should I protect myself?" How should the nurse respond?

A)"It would be best to find a job that does not require close contact with little children."
B)"Wash your hands frequently throughout the day."
C)"Do not share eating utensils with any children at the center."
D)"Have a nonpregnant colleague change the children's diapers."
E)"If you happen to contract CMV we will give you an antibiotic to cure it."

Question 5

An infant is born with a two-vessel cord.The nurse practitioner managing newborn care would first assess for abnormalities in which system?

A)Cardiovascular
B)Urogenital
C)Respiratory
D)Gastrointestinal 5.

Question 6

A woman who is pregnant with twins says,"There are lots of twins in my family,but most of them are not identical." How would the nurse respond?

A)"Usually when twins run in families they are identical twins."
B)"Some women have a genetic tendency to release two eggs each month."
C)"Identical twins are very rare."
D)"Many people think that twinning runs in families,but that has not been scientifically proven."

Question 7

Lab results reveal that a pregnant woman's human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)doubling levels are slow.The nurse would plan to increase surveillance for which possibilities?

A)Cardiac anomalies in the fetus
B)Spontaneous abortion
C)Down syndrome
D)Intrauterine growth retardation
E)Ectopic pregnancy

Question 8

A laboring woman is found to have an active outbreak of genital herpes simplex virus (HSV).The nurse prepares for which treatment intervention?

A)Predelivery skin scrub with an antiseptic cleaner
B)Normal vaginal delivery if possible
C)Treatment with pyrimethamine for the infant starting immediately after birth
D)Cesarean delivery

Question 9

A woman has an ultrasound that dates her pregnancy at seven weeks' gestation.The woman asks the baby's gender.Which nursing response is indicated?

A)"The genitalia do not develop until after week 10."
B)"We don't disclose that information until after the first trimester."
C)"We will have to wait until your next ultrasound at 12 weeks to be able to tell if your baby is a boy or a girl."
D)"We will call you with the information after the ultrasound has been read by the radiologist."

Question 10

A pregnant client tells the nurse that she felt her baby move this week.A review of the chart reveals that the client is at 14 weeks' gestation by ultrasound.How should the nurse interpret this information?

A)The pregnancy is proceeding normally.
B)Quickening has occurred.
C)The ultrasound date must be wrong.
D)The woman misinterpreted a different sensation as fetal movement.

Question 11

Genetic studies reveal that a child has gene duplication.What effects would the nurse expect?

A)The client will appear normal as a child but will develop severe symptoms in middle age.
B)Sterility
C)Very few symptoms
D)Fewer and fewer symptoms as the client ages

Question 12

A newborn is diagnosed with a heart defect.The mother says,"I tried to be so careful while I was pregnant.What happened?" What should the nurse consider before responding?

A)Fetal heart development begins at the third week.
B)The fetal heart begins to beat in the sixth week.
C)Many women do not realize they are pregnant until after organogenesis has begun.
D)Teratogens begin to affect cardiac development as early as week eight of fetal development.
E)No specific substances have been known to affect the development of the fetal heart.

Question 13

Prenatal genetic testing reveals that a fetus has Turner syndrome.Which information would the nurse include in a discussion with the parents?

A)Young boys with this syndrome often have long arms and legs with large hands and feet.
B)Malformation of the elbows is a common finding in Turner syndrome.
C)Young women with Turner syndrome are often sexually underdeveloped.
D)People with Turner syndrome are sterile.
E)Webbing of the neck is a common physical finding associated with Turner syndrome.

Question 14

A woman who is diagnosed with rubella has a positive pregnancy test.Which information should the emergency department nurse provide to this client?

A)"As your pregnancy is in the first trimester,the effects of rubella will be limited."
B)"We suggest that your pregnancy be managed by an obstetrical practice specializing in high-risk pregnancy."
C)"Rubella can cause some minor problems with pregnancy,so you should make an obstetrical appointment in the next week or so."
D)"Some serious problems can occur when pregnant women have rubella."
E)"Your rubella symptoms will be much worse than those of a woman who is not pregnant."