What action should a nurse perform before an amniocentesis to ensure fetal safety?

Testing the ultrasound equipment for proper functioning before an amniocentesis is crucial for ensuring fetal safety. The procedure involves inserting a needle through the maternal abdomen to obtain amniotic fluid for testing, and ultrasound guidance is often used to visualize the fetus and surrounding structures. Ensuring that the ultrasound equipment is functioning properly allows the healthcare provider to accurately locate the fetus and avoid any unnecessary risk, such as puncturing the fetus or the placenta.

While reviewing the client's medical history, checking the fetal heart rate, and communicating with the partner are important aspects of the overall care and preparation for the procedure, they are not as directly related to the immediate procedural safety of the amniocentesis itself. Medical history may provide insight into potential complications, fetal heart rate monitoring is crucial for ongoing assessment, and communicating with the partner can provide emotional support; however, the safety of the procedure primarily hinges on accurate visualization of the fetal position through effective ultrasound imaging. Therefore, ensuring the equipment's proper functioning is essential for the safety of both the fetus and the mother during the amniocentesis.