Question

A 39-year-old woman who is Rh negative is seen by her primary care provider during the first trimester of pregnancy. Which week of gestation should the nurse teach the client that Rho(D) immune globulin (RhoGAM) will be administered?

A. 12 weeks
B. 28 weeks
C. 36 weeks
D. 40 weeks

Answer 1

RhoGAM is administered to an Rh-negative pregnant woman at 28 weeks of gestation and within 72 hours after birth to prevent hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN).

Step-by-step explanation:

The appropriate time during pregnancy to administer Rho(D) immune globulin, commonly known as RhoGAM, to an Rh-negative woman is during the 28th week of gestation. RhoGAM is crucial in preventing the development of Rh antibodies which can lead to hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN), a serious condition that involves the destruction of the fetus's red blood cells. This medication is administered again within 72 hours following birth to ensure any fetal Rh-positive erythrocytes that may have entered the maternal circulation are destroyed, which significantly decreases the incidence of HDN in subsequent pregnancies.