Inpatient Obstetric Nurse (NCC) Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide for Exam Success!

The correct action following a prolonged acceleration of tachycardia in response to acoustic stimulation is to monitor the fetal heart rate (FHR) baseline without the need for additional accelerations. In this context, a prolonged acceleration can indicate an appropriate and reassuring response from the fetus to the stimulus provided.

In such situations, it is crucial to observe and document the fetal heart rate patterns, as the baseline heart rate provides valuable insight into the fetus's overall well-being. Since the fetus has already reacted to the acoustic stimulation, further stimulation might not be beneficial and could potentially cause distress or confusion in interpreting the FHR pattern. Continuous monitoring enables healthcare providers to assess changes in the baseline heart rate and ensures that any concerning changes can be acted upon promptly.

This approach balances careful observation with the need to respond to the fetus's signals without over-stimulating or misinterpreting the fetal condition.