A patient has preeclampsia. She is 36 weeks pregnant, and comes to the high-risk screening center for a contraction stress test. The nurse should explain to the patient that the contraction stress test is being done to determine:

Question

1. What effect her hypertension has had on the fetus.
2. Whether the fetus will be able to tolerate labor.
3. Whether fetal movement increases with contractions.
4. What effect contractions will have on her blood pressure.

Answer 1

2
Rationale 1: The fetal heart rate response to movement is assessed in a non-stress test.
Rationale 2: Contraction stress tests are performed to assess the ability of the fetus to tolerate labor.
Rationale 3: With contractions, the nurse is assessing for a heart rate response, not for movement.
Rationale 4: The effect of contractions on blood pressure would be noted, but this is not the purpose.