A nurse caring for a patient in labor is evaluating the fetal heart monitor.Which finding would indicate fetal distress?
The fetal heart rate decreases after the start of a contraction and returns to the baseline 60 seconds after the end of the contraction.
There is a six to ten beat-to-beat variability in the fetal heart rate.
The fetal heart rate accelerates five to seven beats just prior to the beginning of a contraction.
The fetal heart rate decreases at the start of the contraction and returns to baseline by the end of the contraction.
The Correct Answer is A
The correct answer is choice A and it indicates fetal distress because it is a sign of late deceleration. Late decelerations are due to uteroplacental insufficiency as the result of decreased blood flow and oxygen to the fetus during the uterine contractions. This causes hypoxemia and can lead to fetal acidosis and neurological damage.
Choice B is wrong because it indicates a normal variability in the fetal heart rate, which reflects a healthy autonomic nervous system. A normal fetal heart rate is 120-160 beats per minute.
Choice C is wrong because it indicates an early acceleration in the fetal heart rate, which is a benign finding that may occur with fetal movement or stimulation.
Choice D is wrong because it indicates an early deceleration in the fetal heart rate, which is a normal response to fetal head compression during contractions.
It does not indicate fetal distress.
Normal ranges for fetal heart rate patterns are:
• Baseline: 120-160 beats per minute
• Variability: 6-25 beats per minute
• Accelerations: at least 15 beats per minute above baseline for at least 15 seconds
• Decelerations: none or early (mirror contractions)
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is choice B. She works as a part-time oncology nurse.This is because oncology nurses are exposed toteratogenic agents, which are substances that can cause abnormalities in an exposed fetus.Teratogenic agents can cross the placenta and alter fetal morphology or function.Examples of teratogenic agents are lead, methyl mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, lithium, vitamin K antagonists, tobacco, rubella, cytomegalovirus, ionizing agents, hyperthermia, diabetes, and some drugs.
Choice A is wrong because living with two dogs at home does not pose a high risk for exposure to teratogenic agents.Dogs can be beneficial for pregnant women as they provide companionship and exercise.
Choice C is wrong because being a lacto-ova vegetarian does not pose a high risk for exposure to teratogenic agents.Lacto-ova vegetarians can get adequate nutrition from plant-based foods, dairy products, and eggs.
Choice D is wrong because commuting to work on a train does not pose a high risk for exposure to teratogenic agents.Trains are a safe and convenient mode of transportation for pregnant women.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is choice B. Test the patient’s vaginal secretions with nitrazine paper.
This is because the patient may be leaking amniotic fluid rather than urine, and nitrazine paper can help differentiate between the two by testing the pH level.Amniotic fluid is alkaline and will turn the paper blue, while urine is acidic and will turn the paper yellow.
Choice A is wrong because checking the patient’s bladder for distention will not help determine if the patient is leaking amniotic fluid or urine.
Choice C is wrong because checking the patient’s urine for glucose content will not help determine if the patient is leaking amniotic fluid or urine.
Glucose content may be elevated in patients with gestational diabetes, but this is not related to the patient’s complaint.
Choice D is wrong because obtaining a specimen of the patient’s vaginal secretions for culture will not help determine if the patient is leaking amniotic fluid or urine.
Culture may be done to check for infections, but this is not the initial action that the nurse should take.
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