Normal pregnancy and antenatal care: biophysical profile marker of chronic hypoxia: practice question

A OBG question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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OBG · Normal pregnancy and antenatal care: biophysical profile marker of chronic hypoxia

Sample item

A biophysical profile combines an NST with four ultrasound observations. Which component is regarded as the marker of chronic fetal compromise rather than of acute hypoxia?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Amniotic fluid volume

Amniotic fluid volume reflects fetal urine output over days and falls when blood is redistributed away from the kidneys in chronic hypoxia. Reactive NST, breathing, movement and tone are acute markers that disappear in that order as acidosis develops.

Option by option

  • A. Gross body movements

    Gross body movement is an acute marker and is lost with established acidaemia.

  • B. Amniotic fluid volume (correct)

    Correct. Oligohydramnios reflects chronic redistribution of blood flow away from the fetal kidneys.

  • C. Fetal tone

    Fetal tone is an acute marker, being among the last to disappear in hypoxia.

  • D. Fetal breathing movements

    Fetal breathing movements are sensitive acute indicators of current oxygenation.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is B, Amniotic fluid volume. Amniotic fluid volume reflects fetal urine output over days and falls when blood is redistributed away from the kidneys in chronic hypoxia.

Why is "Gross body movements" not the answer?

Gross body movement is an acute marker and is lost with established acidaemia.

Why is "Fetal tone" not the answer?

Fetal tone is an acute marker, being among the last to disappear in hypoxia.

Why is "Fetal breathing movements" not the answer?

Fetal breathing movements are sensitive acute indicators of current oxygenation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Normal pregnancy and antenatal care: biophysical profile marker of chronic hypoxia in OBG. Reactive NST, breathing, movement and tone are acute markers that disappear in that order as acidosis develops.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Normal pregnancy and antenatal care: biophysical profile marker of chronic hypoxia?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.