Inpatient Obstetric Nurse Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Prep Guide

The presence of decelerations during a nonstress test (NST) is significant and can indicate that a fetus may be compromised. In a healthy fetal condition, you would expect to see accelerations in the fetal heart rate as the fetus responds to stimuli, such as movement or contractions. Decelerations, which are decreases in the fetal heart rate from the baseline, suggest potential complications. They may be associated with factors such as cord compression, uteroplacental insufficiency, or other stressors affecting the fetal wellbeing.

While repetitive accelerations are typically a reassuring sign of a well-oxygenated fetus, persistent baseline variability demonstrates a healthy autonomic nervous system response. Variable decelerations lasting less than 15 seconds may not be concerning in the acute setting, especially if they are transient and resolve quickly.

Therefore, the finding of decelerations during an NST is a critical indicator that further evaluation and monitoring may be necessary to assess the fetal condition and determine appropriate interventions.