Question

When observing the fetal heart monitor, the nurse recognizes the fetal heart rate (FHR) decreases to 120 beats per minute at the beginning of a contraction and returns to a baseline of 155 beats per minute at the end of the contraction. This indicates:

a. early deceleration due to head compression.
b. that the fetus is in acute distress.
c. variable decelerations due to cord compression.
d. that these are late decelerations.

Answer 1

The pattern of fetal heart rate decreasing to 120 bpm during a contraction and returning to a baseline of 155 bpm at the end is indicative of early deceleration due to head compression, not fetal distress, variable decelerations, or late decelerations.

Step-by-step explanation:

When observing the fetal heart monitor, the specified pattern where the fetal heart rate (FHR) decreases at the beginning of a contraction and returns to baseline at the end, is indicative of early deceleration due to head compression. This is a usual response to uterine contractions as the fetal head is typically compressed during labor, leading to a vagal response that results in a temporary decrease in heart rate. Such decelerations are generally considered benign and not indicative of fetal distress. In contrast, fetal distress is suggested by sustained changes in FHR, which could necessitate medical interventions like emergency birth procedures. Early decelerations are differentiated from variable decelerations, which are more abrupt in onset and associated with umbilical cord compression, and late decelerations, which begin after the contraction has started and are associated with uteroplacental insufficiency.