Question

After the fetal head emerges, the nurse notes that the fetal heart rate is 90 beats per minute with minimal variability. Which action should the nurse implement first?

Answer 1

Immediate medical assistance should be implemented, as a fetal heart rate of 90 beats per minute with minimal variability could indicate distress.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should implement immediate medical assistance in this situation, as the fetal heart rate of 90 beats per minute with minimal variability could indicate distress. According to the Apgar scoring system, poor scores for heart rate may indicate the need for resuscitation or stabilization of the newborn. Any score lower than 7 at the 5-minute mark indicates medical assistance may be needed, while a score below 5 indicates an emergency situation.