Esperanza, who is in the 11th week of her pregnancy, is undergoing a prenatal diagnostic test that involves the removal of a small sample of the placenta. The doctor informs her that the test may detect any genetic defects and chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus and that she will have to wait for at least 10 days for the diagnosis. In this scenario, which of the following prenatal medical procedures is Esperanza most likely undergoing?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) involves the removal of a small sample of the placenta, which contains genetic material from the fetus. This sample is then analyzed for any genetic defects and chromosomal abnormalities. The results of CVS typically take 10-14 days to be processed. Amniocentesis involves the removal of amniotic fluid, which also contains fetal genetic material, but is usually performed later in the pregnancy (around 16-20 weeks). Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) involves testing maternal blood for fetal DNA, and is typically used to detect certain genetic disorders (e.g. Down syndrome) but not chromosomal abnormalities. Triple screen is a blood test performed in the second trimester to screen for certain fetal abnormalities, but it is not a diagnostic test like CVS.

Esperanza, Who Is in the 11th Week of Her Pregnancy