If a fetal screen is negative on an O-negative mother with an O-positive infant, what should be the next step?

If a fetal screen is negative on an O-negative mother with an O-positive infant, what should be the next step?

• A. Perform a Kleihauer-Betke test
• B. Issue one full dose of RhIg
• C. Perform a DAT on the infant
• D. Perform an antibody screen on the mother

Answer: (B)

In this scenario, if a fetal screen is negative on an O-negative mother who has given birth to an O-positive infant and there are concerns about Rh incompatibility, issuing one full dose of Rh immunoglobulin (RhIg) is the appropriate next step. The reasoning behind administering RhIg is based on the potential risk of Rh sensitization. O-negative mothers are at risk of developing antibodies if they are exposed to Rh-positive fetal blood during pregnancy or delivery. This exposure can occur naturally during pregnancy or at the time of delivery. A negative fetal screen indicates that there are no detectable fetal red blood cells in the maternal circulation, which suggests that there might not have been significant fetal-maternal hemorrhage. However, RhIg is still recommended as a preventive measure to prevent sensitization in the mother, particularly since the infant is Rh-positive. The other options, such as performing a Kleihauer-Betke test, could provide information about fetal-maternal hemorrhage but are not necessary at this stage since the fetal screen is negative. The direct antiglobulin test (DAT) on the infant is typically performed to assess if the infant has developed hemolytic disease, which is unrelated to the immediate need for prophylaxis. An antibody screen

In this scenario, if a fetal screen is negative on an O-negative mother who has given birth to an O-positive infant and there are concerns about Rh incompatibility, issuing one full dose of Rh immunoglobulin (RhIg) is the appropriate next step.

The reasoning behind administering RhIg is based on the potential risk of Rh sensitization. O-negative mothers are at risk of developing antibodies if they are exposed to Rh-positive fetal blood during pregnancy or delivery. This exposure can occur naturally during pregnancy or at the time of delivery. A negative fetal screen indicates that there are no detectable fetal red blood cells in the maternal circulation, which suggests that there might not have been significant fetal-maternal hemorrhage. However, RhIg is still recommended as a preventive measure to prevent sensitization in the mother, particularly since the infant is Rh-positive.

The other options, such as performing a Kleihauer-Betke test, could provide information about fetal-maternal hemorrhage but are not necessary at this stage since the fetal screen is negative. The direct antiglobulin test (DAT) on the infant is typically performed to assess if the infant has developed hemolytic disease, which is unrelated to the immediate need for prophylaxis. An antibody screen