A nurse is interpreting the results of a contraction stress test (CST) for a client who is at 38 weeks of gestation.
The nurse notes that there are no late or significant variable decelerations of the fetal heart rate (FHR).
How should the nurse document this finding?
Positive CST
Negative CST
Unsatisfactory CST
Suspicious CST
The Correct Answer is B
Negative CST. A negative CST means that the fetal heart rate does not slow down (decelerate) after a contraction, which indicates that the baby can tolerate the stress of labor.
This is a normal and reassuring result.
Choice A is wrong because a positive CST means that the fetal heart rate slows down and stays slow after more than half of the contractions, which indicates that the baby may be at risk for problems during labor.
This is an abnormal and concerning result.
Choice C is wrong because an unsatisfactory CST means that there are not enough contractions to produce a reliable result.
This may happen if the medication or nipple stimulation does not induce enough contractions, or if there are other factors that interfere with the test, such as maternal movement or fetal sleep.
Choice D is wrong because a suspicious CST means that the results are unclear or inconsistent. This may happen if the fetal heart rate slows down after some but not all of the contractions, or if there are other types of decelerations that are not clearly related to the contractions.
A suspicious CST may need to be repeated in a couple of days.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Negative or normal.This means that there are no late decelerations of the fetal heart rate (FHR) after three contractions in a 10-minute period, which indicates that the baby can tolerate the stress of labor contractions.
Choice A is wrong because positive or abnormal results mean that there are late decelerations of the FHR after three contractions in a 10-minute period, which suggests that the baby may be at risk of hypoxia or injury during labor.
Choice C is wrong because equivocal or suspicious results mean that there are either variable decelerations or late decelerations after fewer than half of the contractions, which require further testing or monitoring.
Choice D is wrong because unsatisfactory or incomplete results mean that there are either fewer than three contractions in a 10-minute period or poor quality of the FHR tracing, which prevent an accurate interpretation of the test.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Notify the health care provider.Late decelerations are a sign of uteroplacental insufficiency, which means that the blood flow and oxygen supply to the placenta and the fetus are compromised.This is a serious condition that can lead to fetal hypoxia and acidosis.The priority nursing intervention is to inform the health care provider who can assess the situation and decide on the appropriate course of action, such as delivery by cesarean section.
Choice A is wrong because changing the client’s position may not improve the blood flow to the placenta if there is a problem with the placenta itself, such as placental abruption.
Choice B is wrong because administering oxygen via face mask may not be enough to correct the fetal hypoxia caused by uteroplacental insufficiency.
Choice C is wrong because increasing intravenous fluid rate may not improve the blood flow to the placenta if there is a problem with the maternal blood pressure, such as hypotension from epidural analgesia.
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