What instruction should a nurse provide to a client undergoing an abdominal ultrasound at 20 weeks of gestation?

For an abdominal ultrasound, especially during early pregnancy around 20 weeks of gestation, having a full bladder is important for obtaining optimal images. A full bladder helps to push the uterus into a better position for visualization and offers a clearer view of the fetus and surrounding structures. This positioning enhances the acoustic window needed to capture accurate images, which is crucial for assessing fetal growth and development during the ultrasound.

In contrast, other options are not appropriate for this situation. There is typically no requirement to avoid eating for 12 hours before an abdominal ultrasound, as in many cases, food intake does not impact the quality of the ultrasound imaging. Additionally, sedation is not necessary or standard practice for this type of procedure. Finally, while the instruction to drink fluids normally might seem reasonable, it is specifically important to emphasize the need for a full bladder prior to an abdominal ultrasound, thereby making it the most relevant instruction for the client to follow.