General

Synonym/Acronym:
BPP ultrasound, fetal age sonogram, gestational age sonogram, OB sonography, pregnancy ultrasound, pregnancy echo, pregnant uterus ultrasonography.

Rationale
To visualize and assess the fetus in utero to monitor fetal health related to growth, congenital abnormalities, distress, and demise. Also used to identify gender and multiple pregnancy and to obtain amniotic fluid for analysis.

Patient Preparation
There are no food, fluid, activity, or medication restrictions unless by medical direction.

Normal Findings

• Normal age, size, viability, position, and functional capacities of the fetus.
• Normal placenta size, position, and structure; adequate volume of amniotic fluid.
• Biophysical profile (BPP) score of 8 to 10 is considered normal. Each of the fetal movements evaluated in the BPP is related to oxygen-dependent activities that originate from the central nervous system. Their presence is assumed to indicate normal brain function and absence of systemic hypoxia.

Critical Findings and Potential Interventions

• Abruptio placentae
• BPP score between 0 and 2 is abnormal and indicates the need for assessment and decisions regarding early or immediate delivery
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Fetal death
• Placenta previa

Timely notification to the requesting health-care provider (HCP) of any critical findings and related symptoms is a role expectation of the professional nurse. A listing of these findings varies among facilities.