A pregnant woman undergoes maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) testing at 16 to 18 weeks' gestation. Which of the following would the nurse suspect if the woman's level is decreased?
A) Down syndrome
B) Sickle-cell anemia
C) Cardiac defects
D) Open neural tube defect
A
Feedback:
Decreased levels might indicate Down syndrome or trisomy 18 . Sickle cell anemia may be identified by chorionic villus sampling. MSAFP levels would be increased with cardiac defects, such as tetralogy of Fallot. A triple marker test would be used to determine an open neural tube defect.
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