Nokea
The nurse is providing education to a patient at 16 weeks' gestation who is undecided about consenting to the quad screen. How can the nurse explain the purpose of the quad screen to the patient?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the quad screen is a prenatal screening test that assesses the risk of the fetus for neural tube defects and chromosome abnormalities. At 16 weeks' gestation, this test helps identify potential issues early on, allowing for further diagnostic testing and appropriate interventions if needed. Choice A is incorrect because the quad screen does not specifically target heart defects. Choice B is incorrect as the quad screen does not solely focus on neural tube defects. Choice D is incorrect because the quad screen assesses both neural tube defects and chromosome abnormalities, not just chromosome abnormalities alone. Therefore, choice C is the most comprehensive and accurate explanation of the purpose of the quad screen for the patient at 16 weeks' gestation.