Abnormal alpha-fetoprotein levels

MSN5550 Health Promotion: Prevention of Disease
Case Study Module 8

Instructions: Read the following case study and answer the reflective questions. Please provide
rationales for your answers. Make sure to provide citations/references for your answers in APA
format.

Deadline: Due by Sunday at 23:59 p.m.

CASE STUDY: Active Labor: Susan Wong

Mrs. Wong, a first-time mother, is admitted to the birthing suite in early labor after spontaneous rupture
of membranes at home. She is at 38 weeks of gestation with a history of abnormal alpha-fetoprotein
levels at 16 weeks of pregnancy.

She was scheduled for ultrasonography to visualize the fetus to rule out an open spinal defect or Down
syndrome, but never followed through. Mrs. Wong and her husband disagreed about what to do (keep
or terminate the pregnancy) if the ultrasonography indicated a spinal problem, so they felt they did not
want this information.

Reflective Questions

1. As the nurse, what priority data would you collect from this couple to help define relevant
interventions to meet their needs?

2. How can you help this couple if they experience a negative outcome in the birthing suite? What
are your personal views on terminating or continuing a pregnancy with a risk of a potential
anomaly? What factors may influence your views?

3. With the influence of the recent Human Genome Project and the possibility of predicting open

spinal defects earlier in pregnancy, how will maternity care change in the future?