NCLEX-RN Exam - Topic 4 Question 13 Discussion

Actual exam question for NCLEX's NCLEX-RN exam

Question #: 13
Topic #: 4

A female client at 36 weeks' gestation has been treated successfully for premature labor for 4 weeks. She has begun having uterine contractions today and has been admitted to the labor and delivery suite. Her amniocentesis results reveal a lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio of 2 and positive phosphatidylglycerol (PG). These lab values indicate:

APlacental maturity

BSuspected chronic asphyxia

CCord compression

DFetal lung maturity

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: D

(A) Placental maturity is assessed by a biophysical profile. (B) L/S ratio and presence of phosphatidylglycerol are not used to determine fetal asphyxia. A biophysical profile score of6 may indicate this condition. (C) Cord compression is not reflected by the L/S ratio or presence of phosphatidylglycerol. Variable decelerations observed through electronic fetal monitoring could reflect umbilical cord compression. (D) An L/S ratio>2 and the presence of phosphatidylglycerol in amniotic fluid indicate fetal lung maturity.

by Bong at Nov 22, 2025, 05:34 PM

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Alica

9 hours ago

That's definitely a sign of fetal lung maturity!

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Cristal

6 days ago

Option D is the winner. Gotta love those textbook lab values for mature lungs.

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Yasuko

11 days ago

Haha, the answer is so obvious, it's like asking a fish to swim! Fetal lung maturity, of course!

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Hubert

16 days ago

D is the way to go. Fetal lung maturity is the only logical conclusion based on the information provided.

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Christiane

21 days ago

Definitely D. Those lab values are a clear sign of mature fetal lungs, not placental issues or cord problems.

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Rosendo

26 days ago

I feel a bit confused about the implications of the PG. Does it always mean the fetus is mature, or could it indicate something else?

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Latrice

1 month ago

I practiced a similar question about amniocentesis results, and I think the L/S ratio of 2 definitely points towards fetal lung maturity.

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Carmen

1 month ago

I’m not entirely sure, but I think the positive phosphatidylglycerol means the fetus is ready for birth. It might be related to lung maturity too?

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Cordelia

1 month ago

I remember studying the L/S ratio and how it relates to fetal lung maturity. A ratio of 2 usually indicates that the lungs are mature, right?

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Lashawna

2 months ago

I'm a bit confused by this question. The premature labor aspect makes me wonder if the answer could be something related to the placenta or cord issues. But the lab values do seem to indicate lung maturity. I'll have to carefully weigh the options before selecting my answer.

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Junita

2 months ago

D has to be the right answer here. The lab results clearly point to the baby's lungs being mature enough for delivery, even though the mom has been treated for preterm labor. I feel confident about this one.

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Margot

2 months ago

Okay, let me see. Placental maturity seems like the wrong answer since the baby is premature. Cord compression doesn't really fit with the lab values provided. I'm leaning towards D, fetal lung maturity, but I want to double-check my reasoning.

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Belen

2 months ago

I think it's D) Fetal lung maturity. The L/S ratio is good.

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Rusty

2 months ago

Option D is the correct answer. The L/S ratio of 2 and positive PG indicate fetal lung maturity.

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Octavio

3 months ago

Yes, the positive PG supports fetal lung maturity too.

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Rozella

3 months ago

Hmm, I'm not sure about this one. The question mentions premature labor, so I'm wondering if the answer could be B - suspected chronic asphyxia. I'll have to think this through carefully.

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Joana

3 months ago

I think the answer is D. The L/S ratio and positive PG indicate fetal lung maturity, so the baby is ready to be born.

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Marla

2 months ago

I agree, the L/S ratio suggests fetal lung maturity.

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Blondell

3 months ago

So, the baby can be born safely now?

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