What does a reactive Non-Stress Test (NST) of a 34-week fetus indicate?
The fetal heart rate has demonstrated at least two accelerations of 15 beats per minute above the baseline, each lasting 15 seconds, within a 20-minute timeframe.
The fetal heart rate demonstrates that the fetus is receiving insufficient oxygen and is in distress.
The fetal heart rate has demonstrated at least two accelerations of 10 beats per minute above the baseline, each lasting 10 seconds, within a 20-minute timeframe.
The fetal heart rate shows a significant decrease in response to uterine contractions.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
A reactive Non-Stress Test is a positive indicator of fetal health and a well-oxygenated central nervous system. This is defined by the occurrence of at least two fetal heart rate accelerations, each peaking at 15 beats per minute above the baseline and lasting for 15 seconds, within a 20-minute period. This response confirms a healthy, non-compromised fetus.
Choice B rationale
A non-reactive Non-Stress Test, not a reactive one, would indicate potential fetal distress or insufficient oxygenation. A reactive NST shows a healthy, active fetus with a heart rate that responds appropriately to its own movements, which is a sign of good fetal oxygenation and a healthy nervous system.
Choice C rationale
The criteria for a reactive NST in a fetus at 34 weeks or more is an acceleration of at least 15 beats per minute above the baseline, lasting for 15 seconds. The 10 beats per minute by 10 seconds criterion applies to fetuses less than 32 weeks, reflecting a less mature nervous system.
Choice D rationale
The Non-Stress Test (NST) is named such because it does not involve the use of uterine contractions to assess fetal response. This describes a Contraction Stress Test (CST) or an Oxytocin Challenge Test, which specifically evaluates the fetal heart rate response to uterine contractions to assess placental reserve. *.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Marijuana use during pregnancy should be avoided. The active compound, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), crosses the placenta and can impact fetal development. Studies suggest a link between marijuana use and adverse outcomes, including placental abruption, fetal distress, and congenital anomalies. Additionally, neonates born to mothers who used marijuana may experience withdrawal symptoms, such as tremors and irritability, similar to those seen with other substance exposures.
Choice B rationale
While marijuana use during pregnancy is linked to adverse outcomes, the specific effects mentioned, such as anemia and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), are not the primary or most well-documented effects of marijuana use. Anemia is more commonly associated with nutritional deficiencies, while IUGR is linked to various factors including smoking, hypertension, and placental issues. Behavioral concerns in childhood are a more recognized risk, but the other associations are less accurate.
Choice C rationale
This statement is incorrect as it downplays the known risks. The effects of marijuana on pregnancy are not unknown; research has clearly established that cannabis use is associated with several adverse outcomes. THC is a known teratogen and can disrupt normal fetal development. Therefore, advising a client to use it cautiously and minimally is inappropriate and does not align with current medical and scientific understanding of its risks to the developing fetus.
Choice D rationale
This statement is incorrect because marijuana use does affect the fetus in utero. As noted previously, THC crosses the placental barrier and can directly impact fetal development, leading to conditions like placental abruption, fetal distress, and neonatal withdrawal. The risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is linked to a variety of factors, including maternal smoking and substance use, but marijuana's effect in utero is a distinct and well-documented concern separate from the postpartum risk. .
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Influenza, or the flu, can cause severe illness in pregnant women and is associated with a higher risk of complications such as pneumonia, preterm birth, and low birth weight. However, it is not typically known to cause the specific congenital malformations mentioned, such as microcephaly and severe neurological issues, in the same way as other infectious agents that can cross the placental barrier.
Choice B rationale
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection that can be passed to the newborn during delivery, causing neonatal conjunctivitis or blindness. While it can cause serious issues, it is not associated with the embryonic-phase congenital defects like microcephaly, as it typically affects the infant during or after birth, not during the embryonic stage of development.
Choice C rationale
COVID-19 infection during pregnancy can increase the risk of preterm birth, preeclampsia, and stillbirth. While there is ongoing research, it has not been definitively linked to causing the severe congenital defects, such as microcephaly, associated with infections like Cytomegalovirus. Its main impacts are generally related to placental function and respiratory illness in the mother.
Choice D rationale
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common viral infection that, when contracted by a pregnant woman for the first time, can be transmitted to the fetus, particularly during the first trimester (embryonic phase). Congenital CMV is a leading cause of non-genetic neurological damage in newborns, including microcephaly, hearing loss, and intellectual disabilities, due to its teratogenic effects on the developing fetal brain. *.
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