A nonreactive nonstress test is characterized by which finding on the fetal monitoring tracing?

A nonreactive nonstress test is characterized by which finding on the fetal monitoring tracing?

• A. Accelerations without fetal movement with FHR increases of 15 beats per minute for 15 seconds
• B. Two fetal heart accelerations within 20 minutes, peaking 15 beats per minute above baseline and lasting 15 seconds
• C. Absence of accelerations after fetal movement
• D. Acceleration of the FHR by 25 to 30 beats per minute for at least 15 seconds in response to fetal movement

Answer: (C)

In a nonstress test, you assess fetal well-being by looking for accelerations in the fetal heart rate in response to fetal movement. If you see at least two accelerations, each at least 15 beats per minute above baseline and lasting about 15 seconds within a 20- to 40-minute observation period, the tracing is reactive and reassuring. When accelerations are absent or do not meet these criteria within the observation window, the tracing is nonreactive. The key finding of a nonreactive tracing is the absence of accelerations after fetal movement. In practice, this result may lead to additional testing or follow-up, such as vibroacoustic stimulation, a repeat NST, or a biophysical profile or contraction stress test to further assess fetal status. The other patterns described—two accelerations within the time window or a single, larger acceleration in response to movement—would indicate a reactive tracing, not a nonreactive one.

In a nonstress test, you assess fetal well-being by looking for accelerations in the fetal heart rate in response to fetal movement. If you see at least two accelerations, each at least 15 beats per minute above baseline and lasting about 15 seconds within a 20- to 40-minute observation period, the tracing is reactive and reassuring. When accelerations are absent or do not meet these criteria within the observation window, the tracing is nonreactive. The key finding of a nonreactive tracing is the absence of accelerations after fetal movement. In practice, this result may lead to additional testing or follow-up, such as vibroacoustic stimulation, a repeat NST, or a biophysical profile or contraction stress test to further assess fetal status. The other patterns described—two accelerations within the time window or a single, larger acceleration in response to movement—would indicate a reactive tracing, not a nonreactive one.