Which statement best defines a nonreactive NST?

Which statement best defines a nonreactive NST?

• A. Fewer than 2 accelerations in 40 minutes
• B. Fewer than 2 accelerations in 20 minutes
• C. 2 or more accelerations in 20 minutes
• D. Normal baseline with accelerations

Answer: (B)

Fetal heart rate accelerations reflect the fetus responding to activity and oxygenation. A reactive nonstress test means you see at least two accelerations within a 20-minute period, each acceleration being at least 15 beats per minute above the baseline and lasting about 15 seconds or more. When there are fewer than two accelerations in that 20-minute observation, the tracing is considered nonreactive. This lack of accelerations suggests the fetus may not be adequately responding to stimuli, and further assessment or testing is usually warranted. The option describing two or more accelerations in 20 minutes would be reactive, and a normal baseline with accelerations also indicates a reactive pattern, not nonreactive.

Fetal heart rate accelerations reflect the fetus responding to activity and oxygenation. A reactive nonstress test means you see at least two accelerations within a 20-minute period, each acceleration being at least 15 beats per minute above the baseline and lasting about 15 seconds or more. When there are fewer than two accelerations in that 20-minute observation, the tracing is considered nonreactive. This lack of accelerations suggests the fetus may not be adequately responding to stimuli, and further assessment or testing is usually warranted. The option describing two or more accelerations in 20 minutes would be reactive, and a normal baseline with accelerations also indicates a reactive pattern, not nonreactive.