What is the purpose of a non-stress test (NST)?

The non-stress test (NST) is designed primarily to measure the fetal heart rate in response to fetal movements. This assessment provides valuable information about the fetal well-being, particularly in relation to oxygenation and overall health. During an NST, external monitoring is used to record the fetal heart rate, and the test looks for accelerations in the heart rate that occur with movements. The presence of these accelerations is a reassuring sign, indicating that the fetus is responding appropriately and is likely doing well.

Other options focus on different aspects of pregnancy management. Assessing maternal health during pregnancy usually involves procedures like blood tests and physical examinations, not specifically the NST. Evaluating amniotic fluid levels is typically done through ultrasound and is unrelated to the NST, which focuses exclusively on fetal heart activity. Tracking maternal blood pressure changes is crucial in pregnancy management but is not within the scope of the NST, which is solely concerned with the assessment of the fetus. Thus, measuring fetal heart rate in response to fetal movement uniquely identifies the purpose of the NST.