Answer to Question 1
C
Meconium-stained amniotic fluid is an indication of fetal distress, so the fetal heart tones should be assessed by the nurse immediately. While the health care provider should be notified and bed linens would be changed, these actions are not the first actions the nurse should take. Maternal position should be changed to the left lateral position.
Answer to Question 2
A
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A The normal preterm fetus may have a baseline rate slightly higher than the term
fetus because of an immature parasympathetic nervous system that does not yet
exert a slowing effect on the fetal heart rate (FHR).
B Any change in the FHR with an epidural is not considered an expected outcome.
C Fast labors should not alter the FHR normally.
D Preeclampsia should not cause a normal elevation of the FHR.