What technique is used to test for the presence of ballottement during a pregnant client's assessment?

Ballottement is a clinical technique used to assess the presence of a fetus within the uterus, typically in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. It involves a specific maneuver where the examiner applies a sudden tap or push against the cervix, which causes the fetus to rise momentarily in the amniotic fluid and then fall back into position. This movement can be felt by the examiner as a rebound effect, confirming the existence of the fetus.

This technique is particularly useful because it allows the healthcare provider to determine if the fetal parts can be felt against the uterine wall, which would not be possible if there were no fetus present. Other methods, like palpating the abdomen gently, measuring cervical dilation, or assessing fetal heart tones, can provide important information about pregnancy but do not specifically test for ballottement. Thus, the sudden tap on the cervix is a direct and established method for evaluating the presence of ballottement in a pregnant client.