American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Practice Exam

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What laboratory tests are essential for the screening of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women?

  1. Blood glucose and creatinine

  2. Complete blood count and culture

  3. Urinalysis and culture

  4. Serum electrolytes and CBC

The correct answer is: Urinalysis and culture

The essential laboratory tests for screening asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women include urinalysis and urine culture. During pregnancy, the physiological changes in a woman's body predispose her to urinary tract infections (UTIs), which can have significant implications for both maternal and fetal health. Urinalysis serves as an initial screening tool that checks for the presence of bacteria, nitrites, leukocyte esterase, and white blood cells in the urine, which can indicate a urinary tract infection. If the urinalysis suggests infection, a follow-up urine culture is necessary to identify the specific bacteria present and determine the appropriate antibiotics for treatment. Screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria is particularly crucial because untreated bacteriuria can lead to complications such as pyelonephritis, preterm labor, and low birth weight. Both the urinalysis and culture are therefore fundamental components of prenatal care aimed at reducing these risks.