Question

A nurse is teaching a client who is 37 wks of gestation and has a prescription for a NST. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

a. "You should eat a full meal before the test."
b. "Limit caffeine intake 24 hours before the test."
c. "Avoid movement during the test for accurate results."
d. "The test will be more effective if done late at night."

Answer 1

In instruction for NST, the client should be advised to avoid movement during the test to ensure accurate results. It is not necessary to eat a full meal before the test, and consumption of caffeine should be limited but not necessarily for a full 24 hours before the test.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse is providing instructions to a client who is 37 weeks pregnant and has a prescription for a Nonstress Test (NST). The proper guidance would be option c, "Avoid movement during the test for accurate results." This advice ensures that the baby's movements and heart rate are not influenced by the mother's movements, leading to a more accurate assessment of fetal wellbeing. It is not necessary for the client to eat a full meal beforehand, as this could lead to discomfort and isn't required for the test. Option b, suggesting limiting caffeine intake, is also a reasonable precaution because caffeine can stimulate the fetus, possibly affecting the test results. However, there's no need to restrict caffeine for a full 24 hours before the NST, as it typically gets metabolized within a few hours. Lastly, there's no evidence to suggest that conducting the test late at night would make it more effective.