Maternity Nursing: Antepartum Q 27

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During a prenatal examination, the nurse draws blood from a young Rh-negative client and explain that an indirect Coombs test will be performed to predict whether the fetus is at risk for:

  

     A. Acute hemolytic disease

     B. Respiratory distress syndrome

     C. Protein metabolic deficiency

     D. Physiologic hyperbilirubinemia

    

    

Correct Answer: A. Acute hemolytic disease.

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When an Rh-negative mother carries an Rh-positive fetus there is a risk for maternal antibodies against Rh-positive blood; antibodies cross the placenta and destroy the fetal RBCs.

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Option B: Respiratory distress syndrome, also known as hyaline membrane disease, occurs almost exclusively in premature infants. In premature infants, respiratory distress syndrome develops because of impaired surfactant synthesis and secretion leading to atelectasis, ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) inequality, and hypoventilation with resultant hypoxemia and hypercarbia.

Option C: Infants with protein metabolism disorders are unable to metabolize certain amino acids and require specialized formulas without the offending amino acid, allowing the baby to receive essential nutrients for growth.

Option D: Physiologic jaundice is also referred to as non-pathologic jaundice, and it is mild and transient. This occurs because of differences in the metabolism of bilirubin in the neonatal period leading to an increased bilirubin load.

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