A woman who is Rh-negative is pregnant with her first child,and her husband is Rh positive.During her 12-week prenatal visit,she tells the nurse that she has been told that this is dangerous.What should the nurse tell her?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The goal is to prevent isoimmunization.If the mother has not been previously exposed to the Rh-negative antigen,Rh immunoglobulin (RhIg)is administered at 26 to 28 weeks of gestation and again within 72 hours of birth.The intramuscular administration of RhIg has virtually eliminated hemolytic disease of the infant secondary to the Rh factor.Unless other problems coexist,the newborn will not require transfusions at birth.

A Woman Who Is Rh-Negative Is Pregnant with Her First