Final answer:
During the first trimester of pregnancy, the nurse may conduct tests such as urinalysis, rubella titer, blood glucose, complete blood count, and serum alpha-fetoprotein to monitor the health of the mother and fetus.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse is discussing prenatal testing with a woman who is approximately 6 weeks pregnant. During the first trimester, the nurse may expect to conduct multiple tests to monitor the health of both the mother and the fetus. These tests may include:
- Urinalysis: This test analyzes a sample of urine to check for any abnormalities or infections.
- Rubella titer: This test determines whether the woman is immune to rubella, which is important to know as rubella can cause birth defects if contracted during pregnancy.
- Blood glucose: This test measures the woman's blood glucose levels to screen for gestational diabetes, a temporary form of diabetes that can occur during pregnancy.
- Complete blood count: This test assesses the levels of different blood cells, helping to diagnose any potential issues such as anemia.
- Serum alpha-fetoprotein: This test measures the levels of alpha-fetoprotein in the mother's blood, which can indicate certain birth defects or genetic abnormalities in the fetus.