Maternity Nursing Q 51
Which of the following would cause a false-positive result on a pregnancy test?
A. The test was performed less than 10 days after an abortion.
B. The test was performed too early or too late in the pregnancy.
C. The urine sample was stored too long at room temperature.
D. A spontaneous abortion or a missed abortion is impending.
Correct Answer: A. The test was performed less than 10 days after an abortion
A false-positive reaction can occur if the pregnancy test is performed less than 10 days after an abortion.
Option B: Shortly after a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining (implantation), the placenta forms and produces the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). This hormone enters the bloodstream and urine. During early pregnancy, the HCG concentration increases rapidly — doubling every two to three days. The earlier the woman takes the home pregnancy test, the harder it might be for the test to detect HCG.
Option C: Leaving the dipstick in the urine stream for the exact amount of time allotted is also important. Consider setting a timer on a stopwatch or the phone. That can help the woman track how long the dipstick has been in her urine stream.
Option D: During pregnancy, hCG levels continue to rise as the placenta grows, doubling every few days and peaking at around 10 weeks. When a pregnancy ends, hCG levels begin to recede, but it’s a slow process. The hormone can remain in the blood and urine for up to six weeks following the end of the pregnancy. It’s possible to have a false-positive test until the hCG levels return to their pre-pregnancy state.