Chapter 18

Question 1

Fetal Heart Rate Variability

Answer 1

Four possible categories of variability:

Absence, Minimal, Moderate, Marked

Question 2

Absence and Minimal Variability

Answer 2

Caused by fetal hypoxemia, congenital anomalies, sleeping, CNS depressants

Question 3

Marked Variability

Answer 3

Usually indicates lots of fetal movement

Question 4

Fetal Tachycardia (>160 BPM over 10 minutes)

Answer 4

Caused by hypoxemia or maternal fever

Question 5

Fetal Bradycardia (<110 BPM over 10 minutes)

Answer 5

Occurs with maternal hypoglycemia, hypothermia, medications, fetal hypoxemia

Question 6

Accelerations

Answer 6

Considered an indication of fetal well-being

Question 7

Early Decelerations

Answer 7

Occur in response to fetal head compressions

Not a big deal, will monitor closely

Seen in later stages of labor

Question 8

Late Decelerations

Answer 8

Due to uteroplacental insufficiency

Seen in later stages of labor

Caused by uterine tachysystole, maternal supine hypotension, placental previa

Question 9

Variable Decelerations

Answer 9

Due to umbilical cord compression, prolapsed cord, maternal position, nuchal cord

Change maternal position, give oxygen, stop oxytocin

Question 10

Nursing Care of Abnormal FHR Patterns

Answer 10

Evaluate baseline rate, baseline variability, accelerations, decelerations, and changes or trends over time

Use supplemental oxygen, maternal position changes, and/or increasing IV fluids to reoxygenate fetus