North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

When should a woman with no identified risk factors be screened for gestational diabetes?

1. At 24 weeks

2. At 28 weeks

3. At 32 weeks

4. At 36 weeks

The correct answer is: At 28 weeks

Screening for gestational diabetes in women with no identified risk factors is typically recommended to be conducted at 24 to 28 weeks of gestation. This timeframe is established based on clinical guidelines that indicate the onset of insulin resistance, which commonly occurs during the second trimester of pregnancy. Conducting the screening at around 28 weeks allows for accurate detection of gestational diabetes when the physiological changes in the body may lead to higher blood glucose levels. If gestational diabetes is identified at this time, there is an opportunity to implement management strategies to improve outcomes for both the mother and baby before delivery. Screening before 24 weeks can be less effective, as many women may not yet exhibit the metabolic changes needed for the screening test to be reliable. Screening after 28 weeks reduces the chance of early intervention should a woman test positive. Thus, 28 weeks is the optimal time for screening this population, aligning with established best practices in prenatal care.