Prenatal Diagnostic Tests And Procedures > Maternal & Newborn
Exam Review
Ultrasound
Total Questions : 6
Showing 6 questions, Sign in for moreA nurse is educating a pregnant client about prenatal ultrasound.
Which of the following statements accurately describes the ultrasound procedure?
Explanation
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the fetus and its surroundings.Ultrasound is a safe and painless test that can be done in any trimester of pregnancy.
Choice A is wrong because ultrasound can assess more than just fetal growth and development.It can also check for pregnancy complications, such as ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, miscarriage, placenta previa, placental abruption, congenital abnormalities, and amniotic fluid levels.
Choice B is wrong because ultrasound is not typically performed during the first trimester of pregnancy.It is usually done between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy to screen for fetal anomalies.However, some providers may do an ultrasound earlier to confirm pregnancy, check the fetal heartbeat, determine the gestational age and due date, or diagnose an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.
Choice C is wrong because transabdominal ultrasound does not involve inserting a transducer into the vagina.Transabdominal ultrasound involves placing a transducer on the abdomen with gel to improve the transmission of sound waves.
Transvaginal ultrasound involves inserting a transducer into the vagina to get a clearer image of the fetus and reproductive organs.It is usually done in early pregnancy or when there are concerns about the cervix.
A nurse is preparing a client for a transvaginal ultrasound.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse provide to the client?
Explanation
The transducer covered with a condom and gel will be inserted into your vagina.This is because a transvaginal ultrasound is an internal scan of the female reproductive organs that involves inserting a small ultrasound probe into the vagina to produce images of the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
Choice A is wrong because a full bladder is not necessary for a transvaginal ultrasound, unlike an abdominal ultrasound.
Choice B is wrong because the client does not need to wear loose-fitting clothing or lie on their side during the procedure.They will lie on their back with their knees bent and their feet in stirrups.
Choice C is wrong because the gel will not be applied on the abdomen, but on the transducer that will be inserted into the vagina.
Normal ranges for transvaginal ultrasound vary depending on the reason for the scan and the stage of pregnancy or menstrual cycle.
However, some general parameters are:
• The uterus should measure about 7.5 x 4.5 x 3 cm and have a smooth contour and uniform echogenicity.
• The endometrium should measure less than 4 mm in postmenopausal women, 2-4 mm in early proliferative phase, 6-10 mm in late proliferative phase, and 10-16 mm in secretory phase.
• The ovaries should measure about 3 x 2 x 1.5 cm and contain multiple small follicles.
• The fallopian tubes should not be visible unless they are dilated or contain fluid.
A client is scheduled for a dating ultrasound.
When is this ultrasound typically performed?
Explanation
Between 8 and 12 weeks of gestation.A dating ultrasound is an ultrasound scan done between 8 and 14 weeks of pregnancy to help estimate your baby’s due date.It is the most accurate method to establish or confirm gestational age in the first trimester.It is based on the size of the embryo or fetus, which is measured from the top of the head (crown) to the bottom of the spine (rump) (CRL).
Choice A is wrong because it is not the typical time for a dating ultrasound, but for a nuchal translucency screening, which assesses the risk of chromosomal abnormalities.
Choice B is wrong because it is not the typical time for a dating ultrasound, but for a third trimester ultrasound, which checks the growth and position of the baby, the amount of amniotic fluid, and the placenta location.
Choice C is wrong because it is not the typical time for a dating ultrasound, but for an anatomy scan, which examines the development of your baby’s organs and structures.
A nurse is performing an ultrasound on a pregnant patient.
The patient asks the nurse what the purpose of the ultrasound is.
What is the best response by the nurse?
Explanation
The ultrasound can assess fetal growth, development, anatomy, position, movement, heart rate, and placental location.This is the best response by the nurse because it covers the most common and general purposes of an ultrasound in pregnancy.
Choice B is wrong because the ultrasound can detect fetal anomalies such as neural tube defects, cardiac defects, cleft lip/palate, skeletal dysplasia, but this is not the only or primary purpose of the ultrasound.It is also not a reassuring answer for the patient who may be anxious about possible abnormalities.
Choice C is wrong because the ultrasound can also detect multiple gestations, placenta previa, placental abruption, ectopic pregnancy, but these are not the main reasons for performing an ultrasound.They are also rare complications that may scare the patient unnecessarily.
Choice D is wrong because the ultrasound can estimate gestational age, due date, fetal weight, and amniotic fluid volume, but these are not the only or most important aspects of the ultrasound.They are also not very accurate measurements and may vary depending on the type and timing of the ultrasound.
A nurse is performing an ultrasound on a pregnant patient.
The patient asks the nurse what type of ultrasound will be performed.
What is the best response by the nurse?
Explanation
Transabdominal ultrasound and transvaginal ultrasound are two types of ultrasound that can be performed on a pregnant patient.
They have different advantages and disadvantages depending on the gestational age, the position of the fetus, and the anatomy of the pregnant person.
Choice A is not wrong, but it is incomplete.
Transabdominal ultrasound is the most common type of ultrasound in pregnancy.
It can provide a wide view of the fetus and its surroundings, but it may not be able to detect some abnormalities or complications in early pregnancy or in obese patients.
Choice B is not wrong, but it is also incomplete.
Transvaginal ultrasound is usually done in the first trimester of pregnancy or when there is a suspicion of ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or placenta previa.
It can provide a clearer and more detailed image of the fetus and its surroundings, but it may be uncomfortable or invasive for some patients.
Choice D is wrong because it contradicts both A and B. Both types of ultrasound are valid and accurate methods of assessing fetal development and well-being.
They are not mutually exclusive and may be used together or separately depending on the clinical situation.
A client is scheduled for an ultrasound in two weeks.
The client asks the nurse if there are any risks associated with having an ultrasound.
What is the best response by the nurse?
Explanation
Ultrasound has no known risks or complications for the pregnant person or the fetus.This is based on a systematic review of the literature by the World Health Organization (WHO) that found no evidence of adverse maternal or perinatal outcomes, impaired physical or neurological development, increased risk for malignancy in childhood, subnormal intellectual performance or mental diseases associated with ultrasound in pregnancy.
Choice B is wrong because ultrasound does not cause harm to both the pregnant person and fetus.There is no scientific basis for this claim and it contradicts the findings of the WHO review.
Choice C is wrong because ultrasound does not cause harm to only the pregnant person.There is no scientific basis for this claim and it contradicts the findings of the WHO review.
Choice D is wrong because ultrasound does not cause harm to only the fetus.There is no scientific basis for this claim and it contradicts the findings of the WHO review.
Some sources suggest that ultrasound may have some bioeffects on the tissues it traverses, such as thermal or mechanical effects, but these have not been proven to be harmful or clinically significant.
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