Physiological Integrity Q 36
The physician has ordered an injection of RhoGam for the postpartum client whose blood type is A negative but whose baby is O positive. To provide postpartum prophylaxis, RhoGam should be administered:
A. Within 72 hours of delivery
B. Within 1 week of delivery
C. Within 2 weeks of delivery
D. Within 1 month of delivery
Correct Answer: A. Within 72 hours of delivery
To provide protection against antibody production, RhoGam should be given within 72 hours. One dose of RhoGAM is usually given around week 28 of pregnancy and lasts about 12 weeks. If the fetus is Rh-positive, the mother will also be given RhoGAM within 72 hours of birth. The baby’s blood type can be determined easily after birth by cord blood samples.???
Option B: RhoGAM may also be given after an amniocentesis, miscarriage, abortion, or postpartum sterilization (tubal ligation). This is because there is a small chance of blood contamination and potential sensitization even after these procedures or occurrences.
Option C: Because a small number of unsensitized women may have problems with the end of pregnancy, many practitioners recommend that she be given a RhoGAM injection at 28 weeks gestation to prevent the few cases of sensitization that occur at the end of pregnancy.
Option D: These durations are too late to provide antibody protection. RhoGam can also be given during pregnancy. Hemolytic disease can be prevented in women who are not already sensitized. Rh immunoglobulin (RhoGAM) is a prescription medicine given by intramuscular injection that stops an Rh-negative mother from making antibodies that attack Rh-positive red cells.