Question

Which information regarding amniotic fluid is important for the nurse to understand?

a.Amniotic fluid serves as a source of oral fluid and a repository for waste from the fetus.
b.Volume of the amniotic fluid remains approximately the same throughout the term of a healthy pregnancy.
c.The study of fetal cells in amniotic fluid yields little information.
d.A volume of more than 2 L of amniotic fluid is associated with fetal renal abnormalities.

Answer 1

Amniotic fluid is critical for fetal development as it serves nutritional and waste management functions, has fluctuating volumes peaking around 34 weeks gestation, and the analysis of fetal cells within can show genetic health indicators. Too much amniotic fluid can indicate fetal complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

It is important for a nurse to understand the following information regarding amniotic fluid:

• Amniotic fluid serves as a source of oral fluid for the fetus and as a repository for fetal waste products.
• The volume of amniotic fluid fluctuates and is greatest at about 34 weeks of gestation, with an average volume around 800 ml, decreasing to approximately 600 ml at 40 weeks when the baby is born.
• The analysis of fetal cells present in amniotic fluid can provide significant information on the baby's genetic health, making procedures like amniocentesis valuable for prenatal diagnosis.
• A volume of more than 2 liters of amniotic fluid, known as polyhydramnios, can be associated with fetal complications, including renal abnormalities.