NRSG 1320 EXAM 2 (PART 2) 2025
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is the difference between a screening and diagnostic test? - ANS Screening tests
identify those who are not affected by a disease or abnormality. Diagnostic tests identify a
structural or functional abnormality or birth defects that are detected in the fetus.
What parts of the pregnant population receive screening tests vs diagnostic tests? -
ANS Some screening tests are available to all pregnant mothers, but most diagnostic tests
are reserved for high-risk pregnancies in which there is an increased risk for developmental or
physical problems.
Define ultrasonography. - ANS High frequency sound waves are used to produce an image of
an organ or tissue
What is the most common diagnostic test used during pregnancy? - ANS Ultrasound
What is a standard ultrasound used for? - ANS Done in the first trimester to confirm
pregnancy and calculate gestational age
What information can be obtained from additional ultrasounds later throughout the
pregnancy? - ANS - gestational age
- fetal growth
- fetal anatomy
- placental location and possible abnormalities
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,- fetal activity
- number of fetuses
- viability
- amount of amniotic fluid
- visual assistance for invasive procedures
- serial measurements
How is an abdominal ultrasound performed? - ANS - full bladder is necessary to elevate the
uterus out of the pelvis for better visualization (during the first half of pregnancy)
- transmission gel and transducer are placed on the maternal abdomen
- transducer is moved over the maternal abdomen to create an image of the structure being
evaluated
What additional details can be assessed using a 3D and 4D ultrasound? - ANS 3D:
presentation of placental blood flow, measurement of fetal organs
4D: allows for evaulation of brain morphology and identification of brain lesions
How is a first semester transvaginal ultrasound conducted? - ANS - lithotomy position
- sterile covered probe/transducer is inserted into the vagina
What is the earliest invasive procedure that may be performed? - ANS Chorionic villus
sampling (CVS) at 10-12 weeks gestation
What is a chorionic villus sampling (CVS)? Advantages/disadvantages? - ANS A sample of
chorionic villi from the developing palcenta is obtained by passing a thin catheter
transcervically with ultrasound guidance
Advantages:
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, - early diagnosis
- fast results
Disadvantages:
- fetal loss
- limb reduction defects
At what gestation can an amniocentesis be performed? - ANS 12 weeks
How is anmiocentesis performed? What can be identified using this procedure? - ANS -
ultrasound guidance
- amniotic fluid is withdrawn containing fetal stem cells
Fetal cells are analyzed for
- chromosomal abnormalities
- fetal lung maturity
- infection
- presence of bilirubin in Rh-sensitized pregnancies
When is a percutaneous umbilical blood sampling performed? - ANS 24-34 weeks
How is a percutaneous umbilical blood sampling performed and what is it used to diagnose? -
ANS - needle is injected through maternal abdomen
- ultrasound-guided imaging located fetal umbilical cord
- blood sample is aspirated
Used to diagnose
- anemia
- isoimmunization
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is the difference between a screening and diagnostic test? - ANS Screening tests
identify those who are not affected by a disease or abnormality. Diagnostic tests identify a
structural or functional abnormality or birth defects that are detected in the fetus.
What parts of the pregnant population receive screening tests vs diagnostic tests? -
ANS Some screening tests are available to all pregnant mothers, but most diagnostic tests
are reserved for high-risk pregnancies in which there is an increased risk for developmental or
physical problems.
Define ultrasonography. - ANS High frequency sound waves are used to produce an image of
an organ or tissue
What is the most common diagnostic test used during pregnancy? - ANS Ultrasound
What is a standard ultrasound used for? - ANS Done in the first trimester to confirm
pregnancy and calculate gestational age
What information can be obtained from additional ultrasounds later throughout the
pregnancy? - ANS - gestational age
- fetal growth
- fetal anatomy
- placental location and possible abnormalities
COPYRIGHT © 2025 FYNDLAY ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,- fetal activity
- number of fetuses
- viability
- amount of amniotic fluid
- visual assistance for invasive procedures
- serial measurements
How is an abdominal ultrasound performed? - ANS - full bladder is necessary to elevate the
uterus out of the pelvis for better visualization (during the first half of pregnancy)
- transmission gel and transducer are placed on the maternal abdomen
- transducer is moved over the maternal abdomen to create an image of the structure being
evaluated
What additional details can be assessed using a 3D and 4D ultrasound? - ANS 3D:
presentation of placental blood flow, measurement of fetal organs
4D: allows for evaulation of brain morphology and identification of brain lesions
How is a first semester transvaginal ultrasound conducted? - ANS - lithotomy position
- sterile covered probe/transducer is inserted into the vagina
What is the earliest invasive procedure that may be performed? - ANS Chorionic villus
sampling (CVS) at 10-12 weeks gestation
What is a chorionic villus sampling (CVS)? Advantages/disadvantages? - ANS A sample of
chorionic villi from the developing palcenta is obtained by passing a thin catheter
transcervically with ultrasound guidance
Advantages:
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, - early diagnosis
- fast results
Disadvantages:
- fetal loss
- limb reduction defects
At what gestation can an amniocentesis be performed? - ANS 12 weeks
How is anmiocentesis performed? What can be identified using this procedure? - ANS -
ultrasound guidance
- amniotic fluid is withdrawn containing fetal stem cells
Fetal cells are analyzed for
- chromosomal abnormalities
- fetal lung maturity
- infection
- presence of bilirubin in Rh-sensitized pregnancies
When is a percutaneous umbilical blood sampling performed? - ANS 24-34 weeks
How is a percutaneous umbilical blood sampling performed and what is it used to diagnose? -
ANS - needle is injected through maternal abdomen
- ultrasound-guided imaging located fetal umbilical cord
- blood sample is aspirated
Used to diagnose
- anemia
- isoimmunization
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