A client who is 15 weeks pregnant comes to the clinic for amniocentesis. This test can identify chromosomal defects.

A client who is 15 weeks pregnant comes to the clinic for amniocentesis. This test can identify chromosomal defects.

• A. Fetal macrosomia
• B. Chromosomal defects
• C. Amniotic fluid volume
• D. Placental location

Answer: (B)

Amniocentesis provides fetal cells from the amniotic fluid that can be karyotyped or tested for genetic abnormalities, allowing the detection of chromosomal defects such as trisomies. This procedure is commonly offered around the 15-week mark because there is enough fetal material to analyze for a definitive chromosomal diagnosis. Other things like fetal macrosomia, amniotic fluid volume, or placental location are evaluated by ultrasound imaging rather than by sampling the amniotic fluid for genetic testing. So the test’s main purpose at this stage is to identify chromosomal defects.

Amniocentesis provides fetal cells from the amniotic fluid that can be karyotyped or tested for genetic abnormalities, allowing the detection of chromosomal defects such as trisomies. This procedure is commonly offered around the 15-week mark because there is enough fetal material to analyze for a definitive chromosomal diagnosis. Other things like fetal macrosomia, amniotic fluid volume, or placental location are evaluated by ultrasound imaging rather than by sampling the amniotic fluid for genetic testing. So the test’s main purpose at this stage is to identify chromosomal defects.