Examination of pregnant woman for discovery of syphilis: Blood sample; treatment for infection; exception.
1. Except as provided in subsection 5, every:
(a) Physician attending a pregnant woman during gestation for conditions relating to her pregnancy shall make an examination, including a standard serological test, for the discovery of syphilis. He shall take or cause to be taken a sample of blood of the woman during the third trimester and shall submit the sample to a qualified laboratory for a standard serological test for syphilis.
(b) Person permitted by law to attend upon pregnant women, but not permitted by law to make blood tests in Nevada, shall cause a sample of the blood of the pregnant woman to be taken during the third trimester by a duly licensed physician and submitted to a qualified laboratory for a standard serological test for syphilis.
2. A qualified laboratory is one approved by the State Board of Health. A qualified serological test for syphilis is one recognized as such by the State Board of Health.
3. If the test is made in a state laboratory, it must be made without charge.
4. If the serological or physical examination test shows the pregnant woman is infected with syphilis, she immediately shall commence treatment for syphilis and shall continue treatment until discharged by a licensed physician.
5. If the pregnant woman objects to the taking of the sample of blood or the serological test because the test is contrary to the tenets or practices of her religion, the sample must not be taken and the test must not be performed.
Last modified: February 26, 2006