Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting

Problem Possible Causes Solutions

Erratic trace. Fetal arrhythmia. None.
Erratic display. Obese patient. None.
Transducer wrongly positioned. Reposition transducer until signal quality
indicator is green.
Belt loose. Tighten belt.
Too much gel. Remove excess.
Very active fetus. None.
Maternal movement. Relax the patient.
Insufficient gel. Use recommended amount.

Signal quality Transducer wrongly positioned. Reposition transducer until signal quality
indicator is red indicator is green.
continuously. FHR less than 50 bpm. None.

Questionable Recording MHR by mistake. Reposition transducer.

FHR. Recording periodic signals when the
transducer is not applied to the
patient.

FHR exceeds 300 bpm. FHR is half-counted (for example 320 bpm is
recorded as 160 bpm).

FHR not recorded. FHR is less than 50 bmp or over 300. None.

Light or no trace. Wrong paper or dirty printhead. Use recommended paper or clean printhead.

End of paper Bad paper feed or wrong paper. Check paper feed and use recommended paper.
noted when pack
not finished.

Error message is displayed. See Chapter 19, “Troubleshooting” for a table of

error messages, their causes and their solutions.

If you suspect the transducer. Carry out the Parameter Test as described on page
152.

If you suspect the recorder or display. Carry out the Quick Test as described on page
151.

Chapter 5 - Monitoring FHR and FMP Using Ultrasound 45