A nurse is caring for a client who is pregnant and undergoing a contraction stress test (CST).
The nurse observes three uterine contractions in 10 minutes, with no late or significant variable decelerations of the fetal heart rate (FHR).
How should the nurse interpret this finding?
Positive CST
Negative CST
Unsatisfactory CST
Equivocal CST
The Correct Answer is B
Negative CST. A negative CST means that there are no late or significant variable decelerations of the fetal heart rate (FHR) during three uterine contractions in 10 minutes.
This indicates that the fetus is well oxygenated and can tolerate the stress of labor contractions.
Choice A is wrong because a positive CST means that there are late decelerations of the FHR with 50% or more of the contractions.
This suggests that the fetus is at risk of hypoxia and may need early delivery.
Choice C is wrong because an unsatisfactory CST means that there are fewer than three contractions in 10 minutes or the tracing is not interpretable.
This does not provide enough information to assess the fetal well-being.
Choice D is wrong because an equivocal CST means that there are either intermittent late decelerations or significant variable decelerations.
This indicates that the fetus may have some degree of compromise and may need further testing.
Normal ranges for FHR are 110 to 160 beats per minute, and for uterine contractions are 2 to 5 per 10 minutes.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio.
This is a test that measures the amount of two phospholipids in the amniotic fluid that are important for the production of surfactant, a substance that helps the lungs expand and prevents them from collapsing.A higher L/S ratio indicates more surfactant and greater fetal lung maturity.The normal range for L/S ratio is 2:1 or higher at term.
Choice A is wrong because alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein produced by the fetus that can be measured in the amniotic fluid or maternal blood.It is used to screen for neural tube defects and other abnormalities, not for fetal lung maturity.
Choice C is wrong because Kleihauer-Betke test is a blood test that detects fetal red blood cells in the maternal circulation.It is used to diagnose fetomaternal hemorrhage, a condition where fetal blood leaks into the mother’s blood, not for fetal lung maturity.
Choice D is wrong because indirect Coombs’ test is a blood test that detects antibodies in the mother’s blood that may attack the fetal red blood cells.It is used to screen for Rh incompatibility or other blood group sensitization, not for fetal lung maturity.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
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.
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