Final answer:
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is the condition a respiratory therapist should anticipate if a fetus has decreased fetal lung fluid and inadequate breathing movements, especially in cases of prematurity. This syndrome occurs due to insufficient pulmonary surfactant, necessary for lung inflation at birth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The condition that a respiratory therapist should anticipate after birth, given that a fetus does not have adequate breathing movements and the amount of fetal lung fluid in the airways is decreased, would be Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). RDS primarily occurs in infants born prematurely and is characterized by insufficient production of pulmonary surfactant, which is necessary for the lungs to properly inflate at birth. Without an adequate amount of surfactant, the newborn will have difficulty inflating the lungs, leading to dyspnea and compromised gas exchange.
During development in utero, a fetus 'practices' breathing by inhaling amniotic fluid, but since there is no air, real breathing is not required as the placenta provides oxygenated blood. At birth, many factors stimulate newborns to take their first breath, and in the absence of enough surfactant, especially in premature babies, the lungs cannot inflate properly, resulting in RDS. This can lead to low blood oxygen levels, increased carbon dioxide levels, and high blood pH.