Contraction Stress Test (CST)
Contraction Stress Test (CST) ( 5 Questions)
During a CST, the nurse notices late decelerations of the FHR with at least 50% of contractions.
How should the nurse interpret this finding?
Late decelerations of the FHR are a sign of uteroplacental insufficiency, meaning that the placenta is not delivering enough oxygen to the fetus. This can lead to fetal distress and hypoxia. A positive CST result means that there is evidence of fetal compromise during uterine contractions.
A negative CST result would mean that there are no late decelerations or significant variable decelerations of the FHR with at least three contractions in 10 minutes. This would indicate adequate fetal oxygenation and normal placental function.
An equivocal CST result would mean that there are either variable decelerations of the FHR with more than 50% of contractions, or late decelerations with less than 50% of contractions. This could indicate cord compression, fetal head compression, or mild fetal hypoxia.
An unsatisfactory CST result would mean that there are either no contractions in 10 minutes, or less than three contractions in 10 minutes with an uninterpretable FHR tracing. This would require repeating the test or performing a biophysical profile (BPP) to assess fetal well-being.
Late decelerations of the FHR are a sign of uteroplacental insufficiency, meaning that the placenta is not delivering enough oxygen to the fetus.
This can lead to fetal distress and hypoxia.
A positive CST result means that there is evidence of fetal compromise during uterine contractions.
Choice B is wrong because a negative CST result would mean that there are no late decelerations or significant variable decelerations of the FHR with at least three contractions in 10 minutes.
This would indicate adequate fetal oxygenation and normal placental function.
Choice C is wrong because an equivocal CST result would mean that there are either variable decelerations of the FHR with more than 50% of contractions, or late decelerations with less than 50% of contractions.
This could indicate cord compression, fetal head compression, or mild fetal hypoxia.
Choice D is wrong because an unsatisfactory CST result would mean that there are either no contractions in 10 minutes, or less than three contractions in 10 minutes with an uninterpretable FHR tracing.
This would require repeating the test or performing a biophysical profile (BPP) to assess fetal well-being.