Practice Question
A nurse is assisting in the care of a client who is scheduled for a cesarean birth based on the fetal lungs having reached maturity. Which of the following findings indicates that the fetal lungs are mature?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Lecithin/sphingomyelin (LIS) ratio of 2:1
Rationale:
🟢 The lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio is a component of amniotic fluid testing used to assess fetal lung maturity, especially when early delivery is being considered.
🟢 A ratio of 2:1 or higher indicates that the fetal lungs have likely developed sufficient surfactant, which is essential for alveolar stability and effective gas exchange after birth.
🟢 Surfactant production increases significantly after 32–34 weeks gestation, and an L/S ratio of 2:1 typically corresponds to mature lungs by 35 weeks.
🟢 This is the most direct biochemical indicator of pulmonary maturity, which supports the safe timing of elective cesarean delivery when there's no labor onset.
🟢 Other findings, like a reactive NST or BPP score, assess fetal well-being but do not confirm surfactant sufficiency or pulmonary maturity.
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This question is from RN ATI Maternity Custom Final~ 2023 which contains 51 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI Maternal & Newborn Care
- Answer Choices: 4