RN Exam Practice
Reduction of Risk PotentialQuestion 1067 of 2368

Why is a fetal lung maturity test recommended before a non-emergency delivery planned before 38 weeks?

  1. To reduce the risk of respiratory distress in the newborn
  2. To confirm the fetal sex before the planned delivery date
  3. To measure the amount of amniotic fluid around the fetus
  4. To detect neural tube defects before the planned delivery
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Correct answer: To reduce the risk of respiratory distress in the newborn

The L/S ratio estimates surfactant, which keeps the alveoli open. Immature lungs raise the risk of respiratory distress.

Source: Nursing Health Promotion (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2025), Antepartum Care: Tests to Determine Fetal Lung Maturity. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Reduction of Risk Potential"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026