Final answer:
The best method to monitor a fetus of a client with diabetes in her 3rd trimester is NST (Non-Stress Test) 2 times a week, due its non-invasive nature and ability to provide consistent monitoring of fetal well-being without causing undue stress or inconvenience.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best method to monitor a fetus of a client with diabetes in her 3rd trimester is NST (Non-Stress Test) 2 times a week. During the third trimester, surveillance of the fetal condition is critical, especially in cases of maternal diabetes, where there are increased risks of complications. NST is a simple, non-invasive test that measures the fetal heart rate and its reactivity to fetal movements.
This helps to ensure the fetus is not undergoing stress and is receiving enough oxygen. The test is usually done after the 28th week of pregnancy and can be safely conducted multiple times. It is preferred over daily tests due to its convenience and minimized stress for the client.
Other options such as weekly ultrasound exams can provide useful information but they are not routinely done weekly; they are less practical and more expensive as routine surveillance. Daily contraction stress tests at 32 weeks would be excessively frequent and could potentially lead to undue stress and inconvenience for the client.
A weekly monitoring of fetal activity by the client is valuable for noticing any major changes in fetal behavior but lacks the objectivity and precision of medical monitoring methods like the NST.