Question

16. A woman is admitted in active labor, and the nurse assesses the fetal heart rate (FHR) at 124 beats per minute. Based on that assessment, the nurse should:

a. position patient on her left side.
b. start oxygen per nasal cannula.
c. reassure the mother the rate is normal.
d. notify the physician at once.

Answer 1

The nurse should reassure the mother that a fetal heart rate of 124 beats per minute is normal during active labor, as it falls within the standard range of 110 to 160 bpm.

Step-by-step explanation:

A woman is admitted in active labor, and the nurse assesses the fetal heart rate (FHR) at 124 beats per minute. The nurse should reassure the mother the rate is normal. A normal fetal heart rate ranges from 110 to 160 beats per minute and can be affected by various factors like contractions. The fetal heart rate is one of the Apgar criteria used to assess the newborn right after birth. A heart rate lower than the expected range or showing signs of distress might require immediate medical attention, but a rate of 124 beats per minute is considered normal and typically would not trigger such concern. It is important for the nurse to continue monitoring the FHR periodically to ensure that it remains within the normal range, especially during contractions which can reduce oxygenated blood flow to the fetus.