Contraction Stress Test

In this lesson we will discuss the Contraction Stress Test, including when and why it’s used during pregnancy to assess fetal tolerance of contractions. Then we will cover nursing interventions before, during, and after the test, including basic concepts of interpretation of test results.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this lesson, the learner will be able to:

1. Describe a Contraction Stress Test, when it’s used, and its purpose
2. Describe 2-3 indications for a Contraction Stress test, and 2 methods of stimulating contractions
3. Describe basic Contraction Stress Test interpretation, including typical fetal heart rate range