A home health nurse is verifying a client's prescribed medications and notes that one medication dose was decreased by half. The client asks the nurse if they can cut the tablets in half. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Rationale:

A. "You will receive a dose of misoprostol to initiate contractions.": Misoprostol is used for cervical ripening and induction of labor, not for a contraction stress test. A CST uses nipple stimulation or low-dose oxytocin to produce mild contractions. Using misoprostol would create strong, prolonged contractions that could endanger the fetus.

B. "I will apply an external fetal heart rate monitor during the test.": A contraction stress test evaluates how the fetal heart rate responds to contractions. External fetal monitoring is required to record the fetal heart pattern and contraction frequency, allowing the provider to assess for late decelerations that indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. This reflects accurate and essential teaching for the procedure.

C. "I will give you a terbutaline injection after the test.": Terbutaline is a tocolytic used to stop contractions, but it is not routinely administered after a CST. The contractions produced during a CST are mild and temporary, and terbutaline is only given if excessive contractions occur, which is not expected in normal testing.

D. "I will apply an oxygen face mask during the test.": Oxygen is not routinely administered during a CST because the goal is to observe how the fetus tolerates normal physiologic contractions. Oxygen is used only if fetal distress occurs, so including it in routine teaching suggests an incorrect understanding of the procedure.

Rationale:

A. "You have the right to decide who receives information.": Clients have the legal and ethical right to confidentiality regarding their medical care under HIPAA and patient privacy regulations. Respecting the client’s decision about who can receive health information reinforces autonomy and ensures that the nurse supports the client’s rights in healthcare decision-making.

B. "Your partner can be a great source of support for you at this time.": While acknowledging the potential benefits of support is empathetic, this statement does not address the client’s request for privacy. It may inadvertently pressure the client to share information, which could violate confidentiality and autonomy.

C. "Is there a reason you don't want your partner to know about your procedure?": Asking for justification may make the client feel challenged or judged. The client is not required to explain their choice, and pressing for reasons can undermine trust and respect for their privacy.

D. "The provider will be tactful when talking to your partner.": This statement assumes the provider will communicate with the partner and disregards the client’s expressed wishes. It could lead to disclosure against the client’s consent, violating confidentiality and patient rights.