Question

A nurse is caring for a client at 24 weeks of gestation with a suspected placental abruption. Which of the following laboratory tests should the nurse expect the provider to prescribe?

A) Kleihauer-Betke test.
B) Coombs test.
C) Amniocentesis.
D) Complete blood count (CBC).

Answer 1

For a suspected placental abruption at 24 weeks of gestation, the nurse should expect a Complete blood count (CBC) to be prescribed, as it can reveal signs of blood loss pertinent to placental abruption.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse caring for a client at 24 weeks of gestation with a suspected placental abruption should expect the provider to prescribe a Complete blood count (CBC). A CBC can help assess the overall health of the patient and detect problems like anemia, infection, and many other disorders. In the scenario of placental abruption, where there is a possibility of internal bleeding, the CBC can indicate a drop in hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, suggesting blood loss. While the Kleihauer-Betke test can detect fetal red blood cells in the mother's circulation, which is also useful in cases of fetal-maternal hemorrhage, it is not the primary test for placental abruption. The Coombs test would be more relevant if there were concerns about blood compatibility issues such as Rh incompatibility. An amniocentesis might be ordered for different diagnostic reasons, possibly including genetic testing or assessment of fetal lung maturity, but not primarily for a suspected placental abruption.