Question
A chronic hypertensive patient presents with complaints of decreased fetal movement. Her prenatal care has been sporadic but it appears that she is at 37 weeks gestation with an estimated fetal weight of 2,200 g. Concerns are raised regarding placental reserves for oxygenating the fetus. This can be most directly assessed by which of the following?
| A. |
biophysical profile
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| B. |
a fetal ultrasound growth curve
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| C. |
lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio
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| D. |
maternal alpha-fetoprotein
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Show Answer
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Correct Answer � A
Explanation
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Ans. (A)
Explanation
- This is a series of assessments utilizing ultrasound evaluation and a nonstress test.
- It is the only immediate and direct measure of placental respiratory function and fetal activity listed.
- Es-triol changes can be delayed as can a fall-off in fetal growth.
- L/S ratio is a test for the lung maturity of the fetus, not the placental reserve.
- Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) is a prenatal screen for neural tube defects.
- Although asymmetric intrauterine growth retardation can result from a decreased reserve and be detected by ultrasound, this is not an immediate assessment of status.
