What is the first action that the nurse should take when assessing the fetal heart rate (FHR) of a woman at 30 weeks of gestation and finding a rate of 82 beats/min?

Choice A reason: Eating three larger meals a day is not recommended for hyperemesis gravidarum, as it may increase the nausea and vomiting. Instead, the nurse should advise the woman to eat small, frequent meals throughout the day.

Choice B reason: Ice cream may stay down better than other foods, as it is cold, bland, and soothing. The nurse should encourage the woman to try foods that are appealing to her and avoid foods that trigger nausea.

Choice C reason: Eating what sounds good to the woman even if her meals are not well-balanced is acceptable for hyperemesis gravidarum, as the priority is to maintain hydration and nutrition. The nurse should reassure the woman that she can resume a balanced diet once her symptoms improve.

Choice D reason: Avoiding ginger tea or sweet drinks is not necessary for hyperemesis gravidarum, as some women may find them helpful in reducing nausea. The nurse should suggest the woman to experiment with different beverages and see what works for her.

Choice E reason: Eating a high-protein snack at bedtime is beneficial for hyperemesis gravidarum, as it can prevent low blood sugar levels and morning sickness. The nurse should recommend the woman to have a protein-rich food, such as cheese, yogurt, nuts, or eggs, before going to bed.

Choice A reason: Vibroacoustic stimulation is a technique that uses sound to stimulate the fetus and elicit a response. It is sometimes used in conjunction with the nonstress test (NST), not the CST. The NST measures the fetal heart rate (FHR) in response to fetal movement, while the CST measures the FHR in response to uterine contractions.

Choice B reason: A negative CST result means that the FHR does not show any late decelerations during at least three contractions in a 10-minute period. Late decelerations are decreases in the FHR that begin after the peak of a contraction and return to the baseline after the contraction ends. They indicate uteroplacental insufficiency, which means that the placenta is not delivering enough oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. A negative CST result is reassuring and suggests that the fetus is well-oxygenated and can tolerate labor².

Choice C reason: The CST is not an invasive test, as it does not involve inserting any instruments or devices into the uterus or the fetus. However, it does require stimulating contractions, either by giving the pregnant woman oxytocin (a hormone that causes uterine contractions) or by having her rub her nipples (which also releases oxytocin). The contractions can be uncomfortable and may trigger preterm labor in some cases.

Choice D reason: The CST is not more effective than the NST if the membranes have already been ruptured. In fact, the CST is contraindicated (not recommended) in women who have ruptured membranes, as it can increase the risk of infection and bleeding. The NST is a safer and simpler alternative to the CST, as it does not require stimulating contractions. However, the NST may not be as reliable as the CST in detecting fetal compromise.