A client who is 15 weeks pregnant comes to the clinic for amniocentesis. The test can reveal the sex of the fetus.

A client who is 15 weeks pregnant comes to the clinic for amniocentesis. The test can reveal the sex of the fetus.

• A. Fetal lung maturity
• B. Chromosomal defects
• C. Sex of the fetus
• D. Uterine fibroids

Answer: (C)

Amniocentesis provides a sample of fetal cells from the amniotic fluid that can be grown and analyzed for the fetal karyotype. By looking at the sex chromosomes, you can determine the sex of the fetus—presence of a Y chromosome indicates male, absence indicates female. This genetic analysis is a direct way to reveal fetal sex. Fetal lung maturity, which is assessed later in pregnancy, relies on markers in the amniotic fluid such as the L/S ratio and phosphatidylglycerol, not something determined at 15 weeks. Uterine fibroids are not evaluated through amniotic fluid analysis.

Amniocentesis provides a sample of fetal cells from the amniotic fluid that can be grown and analyzed for the fetal karyotype. By looking at the sex chromosomes, you can determine the sex of the fetus—presence of a Y chromosome indicates male, absence indicates female. This genetic analysis is a direct way to reveal fetal sex. Fetal lung maturity, which is assessed later in pregnancy, relies on markers in the amniotic fluid such as the L/S ratio and phosphatidylglycerol, not something determined at 15 weeks. Uterine fibroids are not evaluated through amniotic fluid analysis.