exam 2 Flashcards
(332 cards)
purpose and use of fetal monitoring in labor
- ID signs of fetal well-being or compromise
- assess both FHR and UC’s
- no method of fetal assessment can ID every compromised fetus
- poor predictive value
- low tech approach (intermittent auscultation (doppler)
- high tech approach continuous monitoring
fetal monitoring as a major role for medical malpractice
- documentation is key (nurse’s must document and prove standard of care was met)
- nurse should identify abnormal/non-reassuring findings, intervene and report to MD/CNM in timely manner
types of fetal and uterine monitoring
- auscultation and palpation for intermittent auscultation
- ultrasound and tocodynamometer (TOCO) external EFM
- internal spiral electrode (FSE) and intrauterine pressure catheter (IUPC) (internal EFM)
fetoscope or doppler
- peform leopold’s manuevers and place doppler over area of maximal intesity of fetal heart tones
- palpate maternal artery at same time
- determine relationship of contraction and FHR by palpating for contractions during the FHR auscultation
- count FHR between cotraction for at least 30-60 seconds to determine baseline
- determine differences between baseline FHR and response to contraction
external fetal monitor parts
- ultrasound transducer: recevies waveforms from fetal heart interpreted by the computer in the fetal montior to produce sound and visual tracing to reflect FHR
- toco- strain gauge that detects skin tightness or contour changes resulting from UC’s
- monitor paper
internal electronic fetal and uterine monitoring
- uses fetal scalp electrode (FSE) or internal scalp electrode applied to fetus presenting part to directly detect FHR
- internal electronic uterine monitoring involves an IUPC placed in uterine cavity to directly measure contractions
- membranes must be ruptured
- needs this when troubleshooting methods that do not alter the quality of tracing, maternal obesity, lack of progress in labor
- contraindication: infections, placenta previa, undiagnosed vaginal beleding
monitoring fetal paper
- each dark vertical line represents 1 minute and each lighter vertical line represents 10 seconds
- FHR recorded on top fird in bpm while UC recorded on lower grid in mmHg with IUPC and relative height for TOCO
- thin vertical lines (or boxes) = 10 seconds apart
- heavy vertical lines = 1 minute apart
interpretation of FHR baseline
- baseline rate
- baseline variability
interpreetation of periodic and episodic changes
- accelerations
- decels
interpretation of uterine activity
- frequency
- duration
- intensity
- resting tone
- relaxation time between UCs
category I FHR
- normal
- predictive of well-oxygenated nonacidotic fetus w/ normal fetal acid-base balance
- routine following and no action needed
category II FHR
- intermediate
- do not predict abnormal acid-base balance status
- requires eval, continued surveillance, and reevaluation in context of clinical circumstances
category III FHR
- abnormal
- predictive of abnormal acid-base balance
- requires prompt intervention and depending on situation efforts to resolves should be expedited include intrauterine resuscitation or immediate birth
FHR baseline
- mean FHR in 10 minute period rounded to nearest 5pm
- should be between 110-160
fetal tachycardia
- FHR above 160bpm that lasts for at least 10 minutes and often accompanied by a decreased or absent baseline variability
- may be a sign of early fetal hypoexmia
- if persists above 200-220bpm, fetal demise may occur
causes of fetal tachycardia
- maternal: fever, infection, anxiety, dehydration, anemia, meds, ilicit drugs
- fetal: compensatory effort following acute hypoexmia, infection, activity or stimulation, chronic hypoxia, tachyarrythmia, cardiac abnormalities, anemia
treatment for fetal tachycardia
- treat underlying cause
- assess variability and consider position change or O2 to promote oxygenation
- assess maternal VS
- initiate interventions to decrease maternal temp (meds, ice packs)
- assess hydration and admin IVF or water
- reduce anxiety by explaining, reassuring, and encouraging
- decrease or discontinue o2
- notify HCP
fetal bradycardia
- baseline FHR <110bpm
- unresolved may result in fetal hypoxia and needs immediate intervention
- sudden profound bradycardia (>80bpm) obstetrical emergency
- with normal variability may be beginning
- with loss of variability or late decels is associated with current or impending fetal hypoxia
causes of fetal brady cardia
- maternal: supine position, dehdyration, hypotension, acute maternal cardiopulmonary compromise, uterine rupture, placental abruption, medications (anesthetics, adrenergic receptors)
- fetus: fetal response to hypoxia, umbilical cord compression, acute hypoxemia (late or profound), hypothermia, hypokalemia, chronic fetal head compression, fetal bradyarrythmias
treatment of fetal bradycardia
- medical: cause related, consider delivery
- confirm FHR vs MHR
- assess fetal movement
- assess fetal response to fetal scalp stimulation
- perform vaginal exam and assess for prolapsed cord
- assess maternal VS
- assess hydration and hydrate prn
depending of FHR variability and other characteristics…
- change maternal postion (left or right lateral) to promote fetal oxygenation
- discontinue oxytocin to reduce UC
- give oxygen 10L/min via nonrebreather face mask to promote fetal oxygenation
- modifying pushing to every other contraction or stop pushing until the FHR recovers to promote fetal oxygenation
- encourage open glottis pushing efforts
- discourage prolonged or sustained breath holding while pushing
- provide support
- notify HCP
assessing baseline variability
- most important characteristic of FHR presence implies that both branches of autonomic nervous system are functioning
- beat to beat changes/variations/fluctuations in FHR baseline
- described by undetectable, observed at fewer than 5bpm, 6-25bpm, 25bpm
absent variability
- 0-2bpm
- looks like flatline
- non-reassuring
minimal variability
3-5bpm