Maternity Nursing Q 145
During a nonstress test (NST), the electronic tracing displays a relatively flat line for fetal movement, making it difficult to evaluate the fetal heart rate (FHR). To mark the strip, the nurse in charge should instruct the client to push the control button at which time?
A. At the beginning of each fetal movement.
B. At the beginning of each contraction.
C. After every three fetal movements
D. At the end of fetal movement.
Correct Answer: A. At the beginning of each fetal movement
An NST assesses the FHR during fetal movement. In a healthy fetus, the FHR accelerates with each movement. By pushing the control button when a fetal movement starts, the client marks the strip to allow easy correlation of fetal movement with the FHR.
Option B: The FHR is assessed during uterine contractions in the oxytocin contraction test, not the NST. The Non-Stress Test (NST) is an assessment tool used from 32 weeks of gestation to term to evaluate fetal health through the use of electronic fetal monitors that continuously record the fetal heart rate (FHR).
Option C: Pushing the control button after every three fetal movements wouldn’t allow accurate comparison of fetal movement and FHR change. Fetal activity may be recorded by the patient using an event marker or noted by the staff performing the test.
Option D: The presence of fetal heart rate acceleration with fetal movement is the principle behind the non-stress test. It is vital to start monitoring the moment the client recognizes a fetal movement. The NST recognizes the coupling of fetal neurological status to cardiovascular reflex responses. It is one of the factors that tends to disappear earliest during progressive fetal compromise.