Author Question: During auscultation of fetal heart tones (FHTs), the nurse determines that the heart rate is 136 ... (Read 85 times)

leilurhhh · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

During auscultation of fetal heart tones (FHTs), the nurse determines that the heart rate is 136 beats per minute. The nurse's next action should be to:

a. Document the results, which are within normal range.
b. Take the maternal pulse to verify these findings as the uterine souffle.
c. Have the patient change positions and count the FHTs again.
d. Immediately notify the physician for possible fetal distress.

Question 2

During a health history interview, a 38-year-old woman shares that she is thinking about having another baby. The nurse knows which statement to be true regarding pregnancy after 35 years of age?

a. Fertility does not start to decline until age 40 years.
b. Occurrence of Down syndrome is significantly more frequent after the age of 35 years.
c. Genetic counseling and prenatal screening are not routine until after age 40 years.
d. Women older than 35 years who are pregnant have the same rate of pregnancy-related complications as those who are younger than 35 years.

frejo · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The normal fetal heart rate is between 110 and 160 beats per minute. The nurse should document the results as within the normal range. The other options are not correct.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
The risk of Down syndrome increases as the woman ages, from approximately 1 in 1250 at age 25 years to 1 in 400 at age 35 years. Fertility declines with advancing maternal age. Women 35 years and older or with a history of a genetic abnormality are offered genetic counseling and the options of prenatal diagnostic screening tests. Because the incidence of chronic diseases increases with age, women older than 35 years who are pregnant more often have medical complications such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension.