Question

Case Study: Mary is at 42 weeks of gestation. Her physician has ordered a biophysical profile (BPP). She is very upset and tells the nurse, “All that my doctor told me is that this test will see if my baby is okay. I do not know what is going to happen, or whether it will be painful to me or harmful for my baby.”

1. Describe how the nurse should respond to Mary’s concerns.

2. Mary receives a score of 8 for the BPP> List the factors that were evaluated to obtain this score, and specify the meaning of Mary’s test result of 8.

Answer 1

1. The prenatal ultrasound evaluation of fetal well-being involving a scoring system, with the score being termed Manning's score is termed; a biophysical profile (BPP).This is a noninvasive test predicting the presence or absence of fetal asphyxia and, ultimately, the risk of fetal death during the antenatal period. A baby's heart rate, breathing, movements, muscle tone and amniotic fluid level are evaluated and given a score; during a biophysical profile. The nurse should respond to Mary’s concerns; by explaining her the above details of the biophysical profile (BPP) and telling her that this test is not invasive and thus safe both for her and her baby.

2. Since in general, a total score of 8 or 10 is normal in case of a biophysical profile (BPP) that indicates that the baby is normal with normal; heart rate, breathing, movements and muscle tone.