Pregnancy Assessment Questions Related

Review Pregnancy Assessment Questions related questions and content

The primary reason for evaluating alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in maternal serum is to determine whether the fetus has which condition?

  • A. Hemophilia
  • B. Sickle cell anemia
  • C. A neural tube defect
  • D. Abnormal lecithin-to-sphingomyelin ratio
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: A neural tube defect. Elevated AFP levels in maternal serum are indicative of neural tube defects in the fetus. AFP is produced by the fetal liver and yolk sac, and high levels may suggest a defect in the development of the neural tube. Hemophilia (A), sickle cell anemia (B), and abnormal lecithin-to-sphingomyelin ratio (D) do not directly correlate with AFP levels. Hemophilia is a genetic blood disorder, sickle cell anemia is a genetic blood disorder affecting hemoglobin, and abnormal lecithin-to-sphingomyelin ratio is related to fetal lung maturity.