A patient who is 36 weeks pregnant tells you she has been counting her baby's kicks and is concerned because within a 4-hour period the baby has only kicked 32 times.What nursing intervention is correct?

Choice A rationaleAssessing the patient's urine for protein and glucose is relevant for evaluating potential preeclampsia or gestational diabetes, but it does not directly address the immediate concern of decreased fetal movement. While these conditions can indirectly affect fetal well-being, the priority is to assess fetal status directly.Choice B rationalePreparing the patient for an abdominal ultrasound can provide information about fetal well-being and amniotic fluid volume, but it is not the immediate first-line intervention for a concerning decrease in fetal kick counts. Further assessment is needed before resorting to diagnostic procedures.Choice C rationaleA kick count of 32 movements in 4 hours is below the generally accepted normal range. While definitions vary slightly, many healthcare providers consider fewer than 10 movements in 2 hours or a significant decrease from the patient's baseline to be concerning and warrant further investigation. Reassuring the patient without further assessment would be inappropriate.Choice D rationaleA decrease in fetal movement can be a sign of fetal distress and requires prompt evaluation by a healthcare provider. Notifying the physician or midwife is the correct priority nursing intervention to initiate further assessment of fetal well-being, which may include a non-stress test (NST) or biophysical profile (BPP).