Question

Client in active labor. Dilated 5cm, membranes intact, FHR 115 to 125/min with occasional increases up to 150 to 155/min that last for 25 seconds, and have beat-to-beat variability of 20/min. client is exhibiting signs of which of:

a) Fetal distress
b) Early decelerations
c) Variable decelerations
d) Accelerations

Answer 1

The client in active labor is exhibiting signs of b) Early decelerations.

Step-by-step explanation:

The client in active labor is exhibiting signs of b) Early decelerations.

Early decelerations are a common finding during labor and are characterized by a gradual decrease and return to baseline of the fetal heart rate (FHR) in response to uterine contractions.

In this case, the FHR is ranging from 115 to 125/min with occasional increases up to 150 to 155/min that last for 25 seconds. This pattern of decelerations is considered normal and is typically caused by head compression during contractions.