A nurse is caring for a client who has oligohydramnios and is undergoing a biophysical profile (BPP).

The nurse should expect to see which of the following findings on the ultrasound?

To measure the fetal heart rate (FHR) in response to fetal movements.

This is because the FHR should increase by at least 15 beats per minute for at least 15 seconds when the fetus moves, which indicates a healthy and reactive fetus.

This is called an acceleration.

Choice B is wrong because the uterine contractions are not related to the fetal movements or the button pressing.

The uterine contractions are measured by a tocodynamometer or an intrauterine pressure catheter.

Choice C is wrong because the fetal oxygenation and neurological function are not directly measured by the button pressing.

The fetal oxygenation can be assessed by the FHR variability and decelerations, while the neurological function can be evaluated by other tests such as biophysical profile or fetal acoustic stimulation.

Choice D is wrong because the fetal well-being and hypoxia or distress are not indicated by the button pressing alone.

The fetal well-being and hypoxia or distress are determined by the FHR patterns, such as baseline, variability, accelerations and decelerations.

"NST is performed after 28 weeks of gestation or earlier if there are risk factors."12 This statement indicates that the client understands when and why an NST is done.

Choice B is wrong because it describes a reactive NST, not a nonreactive one.

A reactive NST means that the fetal heart rate increases by at least 15 beats per minute for at least 15 seconds twice or more in a 20-minute period.2

Choice C is wrong because it confuses NST with contraction stress test (CST), which requires monitoring uterine contractions.

NST does not involve contractions.2

Choice D is wrong because it describes possible causes of a nonreactive NST, not a reactive one.

A nonreactive NST may indicate fetal hypoxia, distress, sleep, medication effect, or neurological abnormality.2