A patient at 36 weeks gestation is undergoing a nonstress (NST) test. The nurse observes the fetal heart rate baseline at 135 beats per minute (bpm) and four nonepisodic patterns of the fetal heart rate reaching 160 bpm for periods of 20 to 25 seconds each. How will the nurse record these findings?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step 1: The baseline fetal heart rate is 135 bpm, which is within the normal range of 110-160 bpm.
Step 2: The four nonepisodic patterns of fetal heart rate reaching 160 bpm for 20-25 seconds each indicate accelerations, a positive sign.
Step 3: A reactive NST requires at least two accelerations of the fetal heart rate within a 20-minute window, which this scenario meets.
Step 4: Therefore, the nurse will record these findings as NST reactive, reassuring because the fetal heart rate responded appropriately to stimuli.
Summary of Other Choices:
A: NST positive, nonreassuring - Inaccurate, as the findings indicate a reassuring response.
B: NST negative, reassuring - Incorrect, as the test results are actually reactive, not negative.
D: NST nonreactive, nonreassuring - Wrong, as the test is reactive and reassuring, not nonreactive and nonreassuring.