Final answer:
In case of a nonreactive nonstress test where the fetal heart rate does not show accelerations, the nurse should report the result to the healthcare provider immediately. The Apgar score, which assesses a newborn's condition, considers heart rate and respiration as the most critical criteria.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Nonstress Test and Apgar Score
The nonstress test is a common prenatal test used to check on a baby's health. During the test, the fetal heart rate (FHR) is monitored to see how it responds to the baby's movements. A nurse caring for a client at 37 weeks gestation who is undergoing a nonstress test and observes the FHR at 130 bpm without accelerations for 10 minutes should consider a few actions. However, the most appropriate next step would be to report the nonreactive test result to the healthcare provider immediately. Nonreactive results might indicate the baby is not receiving enough oxygen or there are other issues that may require further assessment or immediate intervention.
When it comes to assessing the health of a newborn, the Apgar score is an important tool. It is based on five criteria: skin color, heart rate, reflex, muscle tone, and respiration. Each criterion is scored from 0 to 2, with the total score out of 10 helping to determine the newborn's condition. In general, scores below 7 at 5 minutes may require medical attention, and scores below 5 indicate an emergency situation. The most critical parameters are heart rate and respiration.
If the nonstress test is nonreactive, a nurse might use additional methods such as vibroacoustic stimulation to elicit a response. However, this should only be done after consulting with a healthcare provider. Reporting the results should always be the first step.