During a non-stress test, what should the nurse instruct the client to do when the baby moves?

During a non-stress test (NST), the primary goal is to assess the fetal heart rate in response to movements of the fetus. The correct instruction for the client when the baby moves is to press the button on the handheld device that is typically provided during the test. This action allows for the fetal heart rate monitor to capture and record the moment of movement, which is significant data for evaluating fetal well-being.

By pressing the button, the mother is marking the time of fetal movement, which helps the healthcare provider to correlate those movements with changes in the fetal heart rate. This information is crucial for understanding how well the baby's heart is responding during active periods.

In contrast, recording movements in a notebook, drinking water, or focusing on breathing techniques do not provide the necessary immediate data that the non-stress test aims to gather. The key objective of the test is to observe the relationship between fetal movements and heart rate patterns rather than general behaviors or comfort practices.