The nurse is preparing a patient in her second trimester for a three-dimensional ultrasound examination. Which statement indicates that teaching has been effective?

Question

1. "If the ultrasound is normal, it means my baby has no abnormalities."
2. "The nuchal translucency measurement will diagnose Down syndrome."
3. "I might be able to see who the baby looks like with the ultrasound."
4. "Measuring the length of my cervix will determine whether I will deliver early."

Answer 1

3
Rationale 1: Not all fetal anomalies are detectable by ultrasound.
Rationale 2: Nuchal translucency measurements are screening, not diagnostic, for trisomies 13, 18, and 21.
Rationale 3: Ultrasounds provide a very clear photo-like image of the fetus, often providing parents the opportunity to identify a familial characteristic such as nose shape.
Rationale 4: Transvaginal ultrasound is used to measure the cervical length as a screening for risk for preterm labor. However, a normal-length cervix does not preclude preterm birth.