What should the nurse assure a client who is frightened by the rapid fetal heartbeat heard during a prenatal visit?

The correct response reassures the client that a rapid fetal heartbeat is typical and falls within an expected range during pregnancy. Fetal heart rates generally range from 120 to 160 beats per minute, and it is common for the heart rate to be higher than that of an adult. Providing this information helps alleviate fears and allows the client to understand that what they are experiencing is a normal physiological response, reflecting the fetus's activity and overall health.

In contrast, the other options may create unnecessary concern or misinterpretation. Mentioning that fetal heart rates are usually slower than adults can confuse clients because it misrepresents the normal values. Wording that suggests consulting a specialist might imply that there is a significant problem when typically, a rapid fetal heart rate is not an indication of distress. Additionally, indicating that the rapid rate denotes potential distress can heighten anxiety and is not accurate for a normal prenatal assessment. Thus, the chosen response alleviates fear by providing a clear and reassuring explanation.