A client at 25-weeks gestation tells the nurse that she dropped a cooking utensil last week and her baby jumped in response to the noise. What information should the nurse provide?

• A. This is a demonstration of the acoustical reflex.
• B. The fetus can respond to sound by 24-weeks gestation.
• C. It is a coincidence the fetus responded at the same time.
• D. Report the fetus's behavior to the healthcare provider.

Answer: (B)

Hearing develops enough in a fetus by about 24 weeks that external sounds can elicit a response, such as movement. At 25 weeks, a reaction to a sound like a dropped utensil is a normal demonstration that the fetal auditory system and central nervous system are functioning and able to respond to outside stimuli. This isn’t about a specific middle-ear reflex occurring in utero; it’s just a general auditory–motor response indicating normal development for this gestational age. There’s no need to report this finding to the provider unless there are other signs of distress or abnormal lack of movement.