Maternity Nursing Q 81
Which of the following prenatal laboratory test values would the nurse consider as significant?
A. Hematocrit 33.5%
B. Rubella titer less than 1:8
C. White blood cells 8,000/mm3
D. One hour glucose challenge test 110 g/dL
Correct Answer: B. Rubella titer less than 1:8
A rubella titer should be 1:8 or greater. Thus, a finding of a titer less than 1:8 is significant, indicating that the client may not possess immunity to rubella.
Option A: Hemoglobin levels in the first and second half of pregnancy can predict preeclampsia and premature preterm rupture of membranes. Increased hematocrit levels in the second half of pregnancy or lack of reduction of hematocrit levels in the second half compared to the first half can estimate preeclampsia. Normal values of hematocrit have been determined from 36 to 48 percent for women in childbearing age. The cause of its decrease in adults and during pregnancy is anemia, and the reasons for its increase are myeloproliferative disorders, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and other hypoxic lung conditions.
Option C: The average white cell count during pregnancy is about 9-15k. It increases up to term and can go as high as 25k during labor.
Option D: A glucose screening test is a routine test during pregnancy that checks a pregnant woman’s blood glucose (sugar) level. This test checks for gestational diabetes. Most pregnant women have a glucose screening test between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. The test may be done earlier if the woman has a high glucose level in her urine during her routine prenatal visits, or if she has a high risk for diabetes. Most of the time, a normal result for the glucose screening test is a blood sugar that is equal to or less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) 1 hour after drinking the glucose solution.