abnormal alpha-fetoprotein levels

/in /by

Health Promotion. Case Study Module 8. 

 

 

CASE STUDY: Active Labor: Susan Wong

Mrs. Wong, a first-time mother, is admitted to the birthing suite in early labor after spontaneous rupture of membranes at home. She is at 38 weeks of gestation with a history of abnormal alpha-fetoprotein levels at 16 weeks of pregnancy.

She was scheduled for ultrasonography to visualize the fetus to rule out an open spinal defect or Down

syndrome, but never followed through. Mrs. Wong and her husband disagreed about what to do (keep

or terminate the pregnancy) if the ultrasonography indicated a spinal problem, so they felt they did not

want this information.

Reflective Questions

1. As the nurse, what priority data would you collect from this couple to help define relevant

interventions to meet their needs?

2. How can you help this couple if they experience a negative outcome in the birthing suite? What

are your personal views on terminating or continuing a pregnancy with a risk of a potential

anomaly? What factors may influence your views?

3. With the influence of the recent Human Genome Project and the possibility of predicting open

spinal defects earlier in pregnancy, how will maternity care change in the future?

Please provide rationales for your answers. Make sure to provide citations/references for your answers in APA

format.