Current Issues in Maternal-Newborn Nursing Related

Review Current Issues in Maternal-Newborn Nursing related questions and content

A nurse is caring for a pregnant patient who asks when she should be tested for GBS. What does the nurse tell the patient?

  • A. 34–35 weeks
  • B. 36–37 weeks
  • C. 38–39 weeks
  • D. 39–40 weeks
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The nurse should inform the pregnant patient that Group B Streptococcus (GBS) testing is typically done between 36 and 37 weeks of pregnancy. Testing at this time allows for optimal identification of GBS colonization during childbirth. It is important to test at this stage to determine the presence of GBS in the birth canal, as GBS can be passed to the newborn during delivery, which may lead to serious infections. Testing later in pregnancy increases the likelihood of obtaining accurate results closer to the due date, enabling appropriate management to be implemented to reduce the risk of transmission to the newborn.