A new client and her partner arrive on the labor, delivery, ...

[mrsjacobs44]

A new client and her partner arrive on the labor, delivery, recovery, and postpartum unit for the birth of their first child.
 
  You apply the electronic fetal monitor (EFM) to the woman. Her partner asks you to explain what is printing on the graph, referring to the EFM strip. He wants to know what the baby's heart rate should be. Your best response is:
  a. Don't worry about that machine; that's my job.
  b. The top line graphs the baby's heart rate. Generally the heart rate is between 110 and 160. The heart rate will fluctuate in response to what is happening during labor.
  c. The top line graphs the baby's heart rate, and the bottom line lets me know how strong the contractions are.
  d. Your doctor will explain all of that later.

Question 2

As a perinatal nurse you realize that a fetal heart rate that is tachycardic, is bradycardic, or has late decelerations or loss of variability is nonreassuring and is associated with:
 
  a. Hypotension. c. Maternal drug use.
  b. Cord compression. d. Hypoxemia.

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Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
The top line graphs the baby's heart rate. Generally the heart rate is between 110 and 160. The heart rate will fluctuate in response to what is happening during labor educates the partner about fetal monitoring and provides support and information to alleviate his fears. Don't worry about that machine; that's my job discredits the partner's feelings and does not provide the teaching he is requesting. The top line graphs the baby's heart rate, and the bottom line lets me know how strong the contractions are provides inaccurate information and does not address the partner's concerns about the fetal heart rate. The EFM graphs the frequency and duration of the contractions, not the intensity. Nurses should take every opportunity to provide client and family teaching, especially when information is requested.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Nonreassuring heart rate patterns are associated with fetal hypoxemia. Fetal bradycardia may be associated with maternal hypotension. Fetal variable decelerations are associated with cord compression. Maternal drug use is associated with fetal tachycardia.

[mrsjacobs44]

Correct answers!

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