A nurse is assessing a pregnant patient who is at 38 weeks gestation and reports a sudden decrease in fetal movement. What is the nurse's priority action?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, performing a nonstress test and assessing fetal heart rate. This is the priority action because a sudden decrease in fetal movement at 38 weeks gestation could indicate fetal distress or potential complications. A nonstress test helps evaluate fetal well-being by monitoring the fetal heart rate in response to fetal movement. This test provides immediate information about the baby's condition and any need for further intervention. Encouraging the patient to drink a cold beverage and lie down may not be effective in this situation, as it does not address the underlying cause of decreased fetal movement. Asking the patient to monitor fetal movements for 24 hours could delay necessary intervention, and waiting until the next prenatal appointment could lead to missed opportunities for timely assessment and management of fetal distress.