What should a client expect during a nonstress test?

A nonstress test (NST) is a prenatal procedure used to assess fetal well-being by monitoring the baby's heart rate in response to its movements. During the test, an ultrasound transducer, which is a device that emits and receives sound waves, is placed on the mother’s abdomen to detect and record the heart rate of the fetus. This is typically accompanied by a fetal monitoring device to evaluate the pattern of the heartbeat in relation to fetal movements.

The main goal of the NST is to observe how the fetal heart rate increases with movement, which indicates that the fetus is active and receiving adequate oxygen. A healthy response would be an increase in heart rate by 15 beats per minute or more for at least 15 seconds during fetal movements, which is a reassuring sign regarding fetal health.

In contrast, other statements do not accurately represent the purpose or process of the NST. The test does not determine whether a client is in active labor, nor does it require the client to walk around to stimulate fetal movement because the test aims to assess spontaneous fetal activity. Additionally, while weight gain is an important aspect of prenatal care, the NST does not provide information regarding how much weight a client should gain during pregnancy. Thus, the use of an ultrasound transducer to record