Case Study #2 (6pts) A thirty eight year old married chemical plant worker visit
ID: 256093 • Letter: C
Question
Case Study #2 (6pts) A thirty eight year old married chemical plant worker visits the OB/GYN because she has had a positive pregnancy test. She took the test sixty days after her last period, but has had some spotting since then. Her work involves close contact with chemicals, and although she has been careful, forbids pregnant women from working around the chemicals, but offers itle altermative jobs to pregnant workers. The plant manufactures skin care products which are marketed to reduce wrinkling and aging of skin. In addition, she has been taking aspirin regularly to reduce her risks of stroke and cardiovascular disease. She wishes to know if her baby has been harmed by potential exposure. she is concerned that her developing baby may be at risk. The plant where she works 1. 2. 3. What would you tellthis woman about the developmental stage of the baby? What tests would you recommend for this woman and/or her baby? What, if any, lifestyle changes would you recommend?Explanation / Answer
Ans a) Developmental stage of the baby is likely to be of two months. Since she took her pregnancy test after 2 months of her last periods, the baby in the womb is mostly around 2 months. The fetus generally at this stage is around one and half inch long and has developed some of the facial features. Some of the prominent facial features include ears, eyelids and tip of the nose. Also the limb buds are clearly developed into arms and legs while the fingers are still in their nascent development phase. Basically during this phase there is slight elongation of the baby along with development of some prominent features.
Ans b) There is a high possibility that if the mother was exposed to chemicals, it might have an impact on the baby as well. It might lead to premature birth or low birth weight or birth defects and hence testing is extremely important. The test that can be performed in the first trimester to find out any potential hazard or harm to the fetus is fetal ultrasound along with maternal blood testing. This helps in finding out the level of drug that is present and how it might impact the baby.
Ans 3) There is a high degree of risk associated when the baby is exposed to chemicals through the mother. Stress and cardiovascular disease also might be the reason why there might be an early miscarriage. Due to this, it is highly recommended that she keeps away from the factory and work as much as possible which relatively reduces the risk of being exposed to the chemicals. Stress is something that might be piled up due to working conditions and hence maintaining a healthy lifestyle without the work load is highly recommended.