For a client undergoing a non-stress test, what should the nurse emphasize as an important instruction?

In the context of a non-stress test (NST), the most important instruction for the client is to press the button upon feeling fetal movement. This is crucial because the purpose of the NST is to monitor the fetal heart rate and evaluate the baby’s well-being in response to movements. When the mother feels fetal movement, pressing the button alerts the healthcare provider to this activity, allowing for an assessment of the fetal heart rate’s reactivity and ensuring that the baby is responding appropriately to stimuli.

Fetal movements are significant indicators of fetal health, and the NST aims to observe how the heart rate accelerates following these movements. Therefore, engaging the mother in tracking fetal movements is essential in interpreting the results of the non-stress test accurately. Emphasizing this instruction empowers the client to actively participate in the monitoring process and contributes valuable information regarding the fetus's health.

Other options can be relevant to the overall comfort and preparation for the test but do not impact the main purpose of the NST as directly as the action of pressing the button in response to fetal movements. For example, while eating a meal before the test may reduce discomfort from hunger, and drinking fluids is generally encouraged for hydration, they do not play a direct role in the assessment of fetal heart rate