Review Advantages and limitations of NST

Fetal Non-Stress Test (NST) > Maternal & Newborn

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Advantages and limitations of NST

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Total Questions : 5

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Question 1:

A nurse is preparing to perform a nonstress test (NST) for a pregnant client at 36 weeks of gestation.

What is the primary purpose of this test?

A. To assess fetal oxygenation B. To measure fetal growth C. To evaluate fetal anomalies D. To monitor fetal activity.

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

To assess fetal oxygenation.The primary purpose of a nonstress test (NST) is to check the baby’s heart rate before birth and see how it responds to movement and contractions.The test can help determine if the baby is healthy and has enough oxygen.The test is usually done in the third trimester of pregnancy, especially if there are any risk factors or concerns.The test is simple and noninvasive.

Choice B:

Measuring fetal growth is not the main goal of an NST.

Fetal growth can be assessed by other methods, such as ultrasound or fundal height measurement.

Choice C:

Evaluating fetal anomalies is not the main goal of an NST.

Fetal anomalies can be detected by other tests, such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling.

Choice D:

Monitoring fetal activity is not the main goal of an NST.

Fetal activity can be monitored by other ways, such as counting kicks or using a handheld Doppler device.

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Question 2:

A nurse is reviewing the results of a nonstress test (NST) for a pregnant client at 34 weeks of gestation.

The nurse notes that the fetal heart rate (FHR) increased by at least 15 beats per minute (BPM) above the baseline for 15 seconds on two occasions within a 20-minute period.

How should the nurse interpret this finding?

A. Reactive or reassuring B. Nonreactive or nonreassuring C. Indeterminate or equivocal D. Unsatisfactory or invalid

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

This means that the fetal heart rate (FHR) increased by at least 15 beats per minute (BPM) above the baseline for 15 seconds on two occasions within a 20-minute period.This is a normal response that indicates that the baby is well oxygenated and not in distress.

Choice B:

Nonreactive or nonreassuring is wrong because this means that the FHR did not increase by at least 15 BPM above the baseline for 15 seconds on two occasions within a 40-minute period.This could indicate that the baby is not getting enough oxygen or has a problem with the nervous system.

Choice C:

This means that the FHR showed some variability but did not meet the criteria for a reactive or nonreactive test.This could be due to factors such as fetal sleep, medications, or maternal smoking.

Choice D:

This means that the FHR was not recorded properly or there were too many contractions to interpret the test.This could be due to technical problems, maternal obesity, or fetal position.

Normal ranges for FHR are between 110 and 160 BPM at rest and between 120 and 180 BPM during movement.

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Question 3:

A nurse is performing a nonstress test (NST) for a pregnant client at 32 weeks of gestation.

The nurse observes that the fetal heart rate (FHR) does not increase with fetal movement.

What factors could contribute to this result? (Select all that apply.)

A. Maternal medications B. Fetal sleep cycle C. Maternal obesity D. Fetal breathing movements E. Technical errors

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

Maternal medications and technical errors can contribute to a nonreactive nonstress test (NST), which means that the fetal heart rate (FHR) does not increase with fetal movement. Some medications, such as narcotics, antihypertensives, and magnesium sulfate, can affect the FHR and its variability.

Choice B:

A fetal sleep cycle usually lasts 20 to 40 minutes, and the NST can be extended or repeated if the FHR is not reactive within 20 minutes. Choice C is wrong because maternal obesity does not affect the FHR or its reactivity, but it may make it harder to obtain a clear signal from the transducer. Choice D is wrong because fetal breathing movements are a sign of fetal well-being and do not cause a nonreactive NST.

Choice C:

Maternal obesity does not affect the FHR or its reactivity, but it may make it harder to obtain a clear signal from the transducer.

Choice D:

Fetal breathing movements are a sign of fetal well-being and do not cause a nonreactive NST. A normal NST will show a baseline FHR between 110 and 160 beats per minute with moderate variability (5 to 25 interbeat variability) and two qualifying accelerations in 20 minutes with no decelerations. An acceleration is defined as an increase in the FHR of at least 15 beats per minute for at least 15 seconds.

Choice E:

Technical errors, such as poor transducer placement or loose belts, can also interfere with the accuracy of the NST.

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Question 4:

A nurse is caring for a pregnant client who has a nonreactive or nonreassuring result on a nonstress test (NST).

The healthcare provider orders a biophysical profile (BPP) to further assess fetal well-being.

What components are included in a BPP? (Select all that apply.)

A. Fetal tone B. Fetal movement C. Fetal heart rate D. Amniotic fluid volume E. Fetal breathing movements

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

A biophysical profile (BPP) is a prenatal test that evaluates the well-being of the fetus by combining an ultrasound examination with a nonstress test. The test assesses five components: fetal heart rate, breathing, movement, tone, and amniotic fluid volume. Each component is scored as 2 (normal) or 0 (abnormal), and a total score of 8 or 10 is normal, 6 is equivocal, and 4 or less is abnormal.

Choice B:

Choice C:

Fetal heart rate is not part of the ultrasound assessment, but rather the nonstress test. The nonstress test evaluates fetal heart rate and response to fetal movement.

Choice D:

Choice E:

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Question 5:

A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about the advantages and limitations of nonstress test (NST).

Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?

A. “The test is safe and simple for me and my baby.” B. “The test is inexpensive and widely available.” C. “The test can tell me if my baby has any birth defects.” D. “The test can be repeated as often as needed without any harm.”

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

A NST is safe and simple for both the pregnant person and the fetus.It is a noninvasive test that does not pose any physical risks or stress.

Choice B:

A NST is inexpensive and widely available.It is a common test that can be done in most healthcare settings with minimal equipment.

Choice C:

This statement indicates a need for further teaching because a nonstress test (NST) does not detect birth defects.A NST is a prenatal test that measures the fetal heart rate and movement to assess the health and oxygen supply of the fetus.It is usually done for high-risk pregnancies or when there are concerns about fetal well-being.

Choice D:

An NST can be repeated as often as needed without any harm.It can be done at certain intervals or during delivery depending on the situation.

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Advantages and limitations of NST

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