What action is required when a 24-week pregnant woman has a positive antibody screen?

When a 24-week pregnant woman has a positive antibody screen, performing an antibody identification panel is essential. This is because a positive antibody screen indicates the presence of unexpected antibodies in the mother's serum, which could pose a risk to the fetus, especially if the antibodies are clinically significant.

The identification panel helps to determine the specific antibodies present. This information is crucial in assessing the risk for conditions such as hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), where maternal antibodies can cross the placenta and attack fetal red blood cells if they are incompatible.

Recognizing the specific antibodies allows for appropriate management strategies, including closer monitoring of the pregnancy, possible interventions, and preparing for potential complications at birth. Identifying the antibodies as early as 24 weeks provides ample time for healthcare providers to plan ongoing care and address any potential issues that may arise later in the pregnancy.

Other options may not be appropriate at this stage. For instance, waiting until 30 weeks gestation may delay necessary interventions, and administering Rh immune globulin is only indicated for Rh-negative mothers with Rh-positive babies. Similarly, adsorbing the antibody onto antigen-positive cells is not a standard practice in this scenario but rather a laboratory technique used under specific circumstances during investigations. Hence, conducting