Question

Courtney, a 34-year-old, suspects that she is pregnant. A serologic immunoassay test is performed to determine if she is pregnant. Which of the following statements is true about the test?

1) This is an over-the-counter test which can give false negatives.
2) It is highly accurate by 8-10 days after conception.
3) A blood specimen must be used.
4) It is highly accurate by 26 days after conception.
5) This test can be used to indicate how developed the embryo or fetus is.
6) First morning urine should be used, if possible.

Answer 1

A serologic immunoassay for pregnancy is generally accurate by 26 days after conception, may require a blood specimen, and can be used to confirm the presence of pregnancy through the detection of hCG.

Step-by-step explanation:

When Courtney, a 34-year-old, suspects that she is pregnant and undergoes a serologic immunoassay test, several statements can be evaluated regarding the test's accuracy and usage:

• This kind of test can be an over-the-counter test that may provide false negatives if taken too early.
• It is generally accurate by 26 days after conception, given that it may take a few weeks for levels of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) to become detectable in urine.
• While first morning urine is often used in over-the-counter pregnancy tests, a serologic immunoassay for pregnancy typically requires a blood specimen.
• Serologic tests for pregnancy are not typically used to indicate fetal development, but rather to confirm the presence of pregnancy through the detection of hCG.