A nurse is educating a client about a contraction stress test.
Which of the following is correct regarding the contraction stress test?
We are looking for a negative result.
We are looking for three contractions in a 10-minute period with moderate variability and no decelerations.
A negative result indicates fetal well-being.
A positive result indicates fetal growth restriction, lower Apgar scores, and need for cesarean delivery.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
While a negative result in a Contraction Stress Test (CST) is desirable, this choice does not fully explain the significance of the result. A negative CST indicates that there are no late decelerations in the fetal heart rate in response to uterine contractions, suggesting that the fetus can handle the stress of labor.
Choice B rationale
This choice describes the criteria for a reactive Nonstress Test (NST), not a Contraction Stress Test (CST). In a CST, the focus is on the fetal heart rate response to contractions, not the number of contractions or variability.
Choice C rationale
A negative result in a CST indicates fetal well-being, meaning that the fetus can tolerate the stress of uterine contractions without showing signs of distress, such as late decelerations in the heart rate. This result suggests that the fetus is likely to handle labor well.
Choice D rationale
A positive result in a CST indicates that the fetus has late decelerations in response to contractions, which can be a sign of fetal distress. This result may suggest fetal growth restriction, lower Apgar scores, and the potential need for cesarean delivery. However, this choice does not fully capture the significance of a positive CST result.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While a negative result in a Contraction Stress Test (CST) is desirable, this choice does not fully explain the significance of the result. A negative CST indicates that there are no late decelerations in the fetal heart rate in response to uterine contractions, suggesting that the fetus can handle the stress of labor.
Choice B rationale
This choice describes the criteria for a reactive Nonstress Test (NST), not a Contraction Stress Test (CST). In a CST, the focus is on the fetal heart rate response to contractions, not the number of contractions or variability.
Choice C rationale
A negative result in a CST indicates fetal well-being, meaning that the fetus can tolerate the stress of uterine contractions without showing signs of distress, such as late decelerations in the heart rate. This result suggests that the fetus is likely to handle labor well.
Choice D rationale
A positive result in a CST indicates that the fetus has late decelerations in response to contractions, which can be a sign of fetal distress. This result may suggest fetal growth restriction, lower Apgar scores, and the potential need for cesarean delivery. However, this choice does not fully capture the significance of a positive CST result.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Terbutaline is a beta-adrenergic agonist that works by relaxing the smooth muscles of the uterus, thereby reducing uterine contractions. It is commonly used in cases of tachysystole and recurrent late decelerations to decrease uterine activity and improve fetal oxygenation. Terbutaline’s mechanism of action involves stimulating beta-2 adrenergic receptors, which leads to an increase in cyclic AMP and subsequent relaxation of uterine smooth muscle.
Choice B rationale
Oxytocin is a hormone that stimulates uterine contractions and is typically used to induce or augment labor. Administering oxytocin in a situation where there is already tachysystole and recurrent late decelerations would exacerbate the problem by increasing uterine contractions, potentially leading to further fetal distress.
Choice C rationale
Misoprostol is a prostaglandin analog used to ripen the cervix and induce labor. Similar to oxytocin, it would not be appropriate in this scenario as it would increase uterine contractions, worsening the tachysystole and late decelerations.
Choice D rationale
Magnesium sulfate is primarily used as a tocolytic to prevent preterm labor and as a neuroprotective agent for the fetus in cases of preeclampsia. While it has some uterine relaxation properties, it is not the first-line treatment for reducing uterine activity in the context of tachysystole and late decelerations.