Question

Case Scenario:

Ruba is a 39 years old, pregnant woman at 8 weeks gestation, and her husband, Ali, is 50 years old, arrives at antenatal clinic for follow-up. The couples have been married for 12 years. Ruba completes the initial paperwork, and the nurse notes the following obstetric history: G6 T0 P0 A5 L0 M0.  Ruba and Ali asked the nurse many questions regarding Down syndrome as Ali’s sister, recently, has a boy with Down syndrome.

Q1:

What are the questions in the history taking are the highest priority for the nurse to ask, given Ruba’s obstetric history ?    

Q2:

What are the initial prenatal assessment and screening tests would the nurse anticipate for Ruba at this antenatal visit?

Answer 1

Q1. Priority should be detailed past obstetric history such as miscarriages or terminations, how many pregnancy has occurred and how long the gestation period was, any complications like hypertension, diabetes or bleeding has occurred during pregnancy. Other history should be collected as well, for instance any bad habits of smoking, alcohol consumption, any medical or surgical history is present.

Q1. Prenatal assessment and screening test for 8 weeks gestation are as follows:

• Monitoring blood pressure, urine, height and weight of mother
• Breast and pelvic examination
• Blood group, Haemoglobin to check anemia is present or not
• Any medical or genetic conditions
• PAP smear if required
• Ultrasound to check any birth defects