A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a parent of a school-age child who has tonic-clonic seizures. Which of the following statements should the nurse make regarding care during a seizure?

Choice A reason:

The nurse should not tell the client to lie flat on their back for the duration of the nonstress test. It is essential for pregnant clients to be in a semi-reclining or left lateral position during the test to avoid supine hypotension syndrome. This condition can occur when the weight of the uterus compresses the inferior vena cava, reducing blood flow to the heart and potentially compromising the baby's well-being.

Choice B reason:

The nurse should not instruct the client to lightly brush their palms across their nipples during the test. This statement is not related to the nonstress test procedure. The nonstress test involves monitoring the baby's heart rate in response to its movements, and nipple stimulation is not a standard part of the test.

Choice C reason:

The nurse should not advise the client not to eat or drink anything for 4 hours before the test. It is important for pregnant clients to have adequate nutrition and hydration, especially during the third trimester. Restricting food and drink for such a prolonged period could lead to dehydration and may not be necessary for the test.

Choice D reason:

This is the correct choice. During a nonstress test, the client is connected to a fetal heart rate monitor. They are asked to press a button whenever they feel the baby moving. This allows the healthcare provider to correlate the baby's movements with changes in the heart rate pattern, which helps assess the baby's well-being.

Choice A reason:

The client stating, "This test is to check if my baby has diabetes,” indicates a misunderstanding of the purpose of the 1-hr glucose tolerance test (GTT). The test is performed to screen for gestational diabetes in the mother, not to check the baby's diabetes status. Rationale: Gestational diabetes is a condition where high blood sugar levels develop during pregnancy, and it can affect both the mother and the baby's health.

Choice B reason:

The client mentioning, "If the result is higher than normal, I will need to be on insulin the rest of my life,” demonstrates a misconception about the implications of the 1-hr GTT. The 1-hr GTT is a preliminary screening test, and if the results are higher than normal, it indicates the need for further evaluation, but it does not immediately mean a lifetime dependence on insulin. Rationale: Insulin therapy may be required for managing gestational diabetes in some cases, but not necessarily for the rest of the mother's life.

Choice C reason:

The client saying, "If I forget and eat before the test, then I won't be able to have the test done,” indicates a misunderstanding of the test procedure. The 1-hr GTT requires fasting before the test, typically for 8 to 14 hours, to get accurate results. However, if the client mistakenly eats before the test, it doesn't mean they cannot have the test done at all; they may need to reschedule it after an appropriate fasting period. Rationale: Fasting is crucial for accurate glucose level measurement during the test.

Choice D reason:

The client stating, "If the results are high, then I need another test to see if I have gestational diabetes,” demonstrates a correct understanding of the 1-hr GTT. If the initial screening test shows elevated glucose levels, further testing, such as the 3-hour glucose tolerance test (GTT), is required to confirm the diagnosis of gestational diabetes. Rationale: The 3-hour GTT is a more comprehensive diagnostic test used to confirm or rule out gestational diabetes.