Professional Documents
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Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
____ 1. A nurse-preceptor is explaining to a new nurse about the tocodynamometer. The new nurse is
looking at the EFM paper and sees that, of the two tracked heart rates, the one on the bottom is in
the 80s; she is concerned that the fetal heart rate is bradycardic. Which of the following should the
nurse do first?
1. Give the mother oxygen to increase the fetal heart rate.
2. Immediately call the provider into the room.
3. Check to make sure that the maternal radial pulse is being recorded correctly.
4. Adjust the monitor on the maternal abdomen.
____ 2. While providing care for a patient, the nurse notices an erratic FHR recording. What action should
the nurse take next?
1. Help the patient move around to help obtain the signal.
2. Place the transducer in a different position.
3. Check the mother’s cervical progress to see if she is in the second stage of labor.
4. Remove some of the ultrasound gel from the transducer.
____ 3. An internal fetal monitor has been ordered for Chrissy, a 24-year-old G2P0010 at 38 weeks and 1
day gestation. Her medical history is significant for a history of pregnancy-induced hypertension.
Her laboratory values are as follows: H/H 11/30, O negative, RPR negative, GBS positive. Based
on Chrissy’s history and presentation, what action should the nurse take next?
1. Prepare Chrissy for the placement of an internal monitor.
2. Take the required two blood pressure readings every 15 minutes prior to insertion
of the internal fetal monitor due to her pregnancy-induced hypertension.
3. Discuss with the health care provider the fact that Chrissy’s blood type is O
negative and she should therefore receive Rhogam before insertion of an internal
monitor.
4. Discuss with the health care provider that Chrissy is GBS positive and therefore
should not receive an internal monitor.
____ 4. The nurse is looking at an EFM strip and sees that the patient is having contractions that are
measuring 150 MVU every 10 minutes for the past 2 hours and the fetus is in fetal distress. What
would this indicate for next steps?
1. The patients’ contractions are adequate, so the main focus should be on
resuscitating the fetus with maternal oxygen and maternal position change.
2. The patients’ contractions are inadequate; the provider could consider an
amnioinfusion through the IUPC, and once the fetus has improved, contractions
need to be augmented to be more effective.
3. The patients’ contractions are adequate, so the main focus should be on
determining her progress through cervical change.
4. The patients’ contractions are inadequate; the provider could consider augmenting
with Pitocin to be more effective.
Multiple Response
Identify one or more choices that best complete the statement or answer the question.
____ 15. The nurse-educator is preparing a presentation on fetal heart monitoring. Which of the following
should be included? Select all that apply.
1. Intermittent auscultation should be performed every hour in the latent phase.
2. For Category I situations, intermittent electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) should be
performed for 10 to 30 minutes every 1 to 2.5 hours.
3. A patient with a previous cesarean section should have EFM for 10 to 30 minutes
every 1 to 2.5 hours.
4. A patient with membranes ruptured over 24 hours should be monitored during the
latent phase every 30 minutes, every 15 minutes during the active phase, and every
5 minutes during the second stage.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. ANS: 3
Chapter: Chapter 9 Fetal Heart Rate Assessment
Chapter Learning Objective: Define terms used in electronic fetal monitoring (EFM).
Page: 275
Heading: Modes or Types of Fetal and Uterine Monitoring > External Electronic Fetal and Uterine
Monitoring
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process
Client Need: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
Cognitive Level: Application [Applying]
Concept: Ante/Intra/Post-partum
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 This is incorrect. The maternal heart rate is usually significantly lower than the
fetal heart rate and is therefore tracked underneath the fetal heart rate. It is
therefore important to check and make sure that the maternal heart rate is being
tracked correctly before beginning oxygen.
2 This is incorrect. The maternal heart rate is usually significantly lower than the
fetal heart rate and is therefore tracked underneath the fetal heart rate. It is
therefore important to check and make sure that the maternal heart rate is being
tracked correctly before calling in the provider.
3 This is correct. The maternal heart rate is usually significantly lower than the
fetal heart rate and is therefore tracked underneath the fetal heart rate. It is
therefore important to check and make sure that the maternal heart rate is being
tracked correctly before initiating any efforts for the fetus.
4 This is incorrect. The maternal heart rate is usually significantly lower than the
fetal heart rate and is therefore tracked underneath the fetal heart rate. It is
therefore important to check and make sure that the maternal heart rate is being
tracked correctly before adjusting the fetal monitor.
Feedback
1 This is incorrect. Fetal or maternal movement may cause erratic FHR
recordings; increasing movement would not improve the recording.
2 This is correct. Fetal or maternal movement may cause erratic FHR recordings,
and moving the transducer would help the recording if fetal movement causes it.
3 This is incorrect. Erratic FHR recordings are not usually due to moving into
second stage.
4 This is incorrect. A lack of gel can cause the recording to be erratic, and if this is
the case, more gel should be added, not less.
Feedback
1 This in incorrect. Chrissy is GBS positive and therefore cannot receive an
internal monitor.
2 This is incorrect. There are no required blood pressure readings for a
pregnancy-induced hypertensive patient prior to the insertion of an internal
monitor.
3 This is incorrect. Chrissy does not need to receive Rhogam prior to the insertion
of an internal monitor. She should have received it earlier in the pregnancy, but
it should have no effect on an internal monitor.
4 This is correct. GBS positivity is a contraindication to the placement of an
internal monitor.
Feedback
1 This is incorrect. Although the fetus should be resuscitated, the patients’
contractions are inadequate.
2 This is correct. The patients’ contractions are inadequate, so the provider could
consider an amnioinfusion through the IUPC. Then, once the fetus has
improved, contractions need to be augmented to be more effective.
3 This is incorrect. The patients’ contractions are inadequate, and determining her
progress through cervical change would not improve the mother’s or fetus’s
condition.
4 This is incorrect. Although the patients’ contractions are inadequate,
augmenting the patients’ contractions with Pitocin might put more undue stress
on the fetus.
Feedback
1 This is incorrect. An intrauterine pressure catheter (IUPC) is only used in a
patient who is bed bound, which would not allow for a patient to move around
or use hydrotherapy.
2 This is incorrect. A fetal scalp electrode (FSE) is only used in a patient who is
bed bound, which would not allow for a patient to move around or use
hydrotherapy.
3 This is correct. Telemetry would allow for continuous monitoring while
allowing patients free movement and the ability to use hydrotherapy.
4 This is incorrect. External EFM is best used in a patient who is bed bound,
which would not allow for a patient to move around or use hydrotherapy.
Feedback
1 This is incorrect. The patient will be able to walk while using telemetry.
2 This is incorrect. The patient will be able to bathe while using telemetry.
3 This is incorrect. Nurses can assess the patient remotely.
4 This is correct. Telemetry can be used in all phases of labor.
Feedback
1 This is incorrect. A patient with a previous cesarean section needs to be
monitored every 30 minutes during the latent phase, every 15 minutes during the
active phase, and every 5 minutes during the second stage.
2 This is incorrect. A patient with an epidural in place needs to be monitored
every 30 minutes during the latent phase, every 15 minutes during the active
phase, and every 5 minutes during the second stage.
3 This is incorrect. A patient with decreased fetal activity needs to be monitored
every 30 minutes during the latent phase, every 15 minutes during the active
phase, and every 5 minutes during the second stage.
4 This is correct. This patient is low risk.
Feedback
1 This is incorrect. Vagus nerve stimulation slows FHR and helps maintain
variability.
2 This is correct. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for heart rate
variability.
3 This is incorrect. Action occurs through the release of norepinephrine.
4 This is incorrect. Baroreceptors are stretch receptors that protect homeostasis
and regulate heart rate by stimulating a vagal response and decreasing FHR,
fetal blood pressure, and cardiac output.
Feedback
1 This is incorrect. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for increasing
the FHR and FHR variability.
2 This is incorrect. The central nervous system is responsible for variations in
FHR and variability related to fetal activity.
3 This is incorrect. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for increasing
FHR.
4 This is correct. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for slowing
the FHR and maintaining variability.
Feedback
1 This is correct. This is a normal tracing.
2 This is incorrect. A Category II is an indeterminate tracing, and the patient’s
tracing has normal components
3 This is incorrect. A Category III tracing is an abnormal tracing, and the patient’s
tracing has normal components
4 This is incorrect. There is no such category as a Category IV tracing.
Feedback
1 This is incorrect. Blue indicates a 0 risk of acidemia. In these cases, the nurse
should inform the health care provider and perform conservative measures.
2 This is correct. Orange indicates an acceptably low risk of acidemia and
preparation for possible urgent delivery.
3 This is incorrect. Red indicates an unacceptably high risk of acidemia and the
need for immediate delivery.
4 This is incorrect. Yellow indicates 0 risk of acidemia. The recommendation is
for increased surveillance and conservative measures.
Feedback
1 This is incorrect. Based on the five-tier FHR interpretation system, this tracing
is classified as orange, which means there is an acceptable low risk of acidemia
and the nurse should prepare for possible urgent delivery.
2 This is incorrect. Based on the five-tier FHR interpretation system, this tracing
is classified as orange, which means there is an acceptable low risk of acidemia
and the nurse should prepare for possible urgent delivery.
3 This is incorrect. Based on the five-tier FHR interpretation system, this tracing
is classified as orange, which means there is an acceptable low risk of acidemia
and the nurse should prepare for possible urgent delivery.
4 This is correct. Based on the five-tier FHR interpretation system, this tracing is
classified as orange, which means there is an acceptable low risk of acidemia
and the nurse should prepare for possible urgent delivery.
Feedback
1 This is incorrect. Dehydration is a possible cause of fetal bradycardia but is not
the most urgent action.
2 This is incorrect. Hypotension is a possible cause of fetal bradycardia but is not
the most urgent action.
3 This is incorrect. Supine position is a possible cause of fetal bradycardia, so it
may help to place the patient in a left lateral position, but it is not the most
urgent action.
Feedback
1 This is incorrect. Fetal scalp stimulation should be used for fetal bradycardia.
2 This is correct. Fetal tachycardia can be caused by maternal or fetal infection
and antibiotics may be administered; typically, penicillin is administered and a
penicillin allergy would require a different medication.
3 This is incorrect. Fetal tachycardia can be caused by maternal fever. Heat
application would increase maternal temperature.
4 This is incorrect. Fetal movement can cause fetal tachycardia; a vibroacoustic
device would cause fetal movement and is therefore unnecessary.
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
15. ANS: 1, 2, 4, 5
Chapter: Chapter 9 Fetal Heart Rate Assessment
Chapter Learning Objective: Identify the modes of fetal heart rate assessment: auscultation,
palpation, EFM.
Page: 277
Heading: AWHONN Standards for Frequency of Assessment of FHR
Integrated Processes: Caring
Client Need: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
Cognitive Level: Application [Applying]
Concept: Ante/Intra/Post-partum
Difficulty: Difficult
Feedback
1 This is correct. Intermittent auscultation should be done every hour in the latent phase.
2 This is correct. For Category I situations, intermittent EFM should be done for 10 to 30
Feedback
1 This is correct. EFM during labor is associated with reduced rates of neonatal seizures.
2 This is incorrect. EFM during labor has not been shown to reduce cerebral palsy.
3 This is incorrect. EFM during labor has not been shown to reduce infant mortality.
4 This is correct. Continuous EFM increases the rate of cesarean sections.
5 This is correct. Continuous EFM increases the rate of operative vaginal births.
Feedback
Feedback
1 This is incorrect. Maternal fever is usually caused by an infectious agent. Antibiotics,
antipyretics, and ice packs should be used to combat it.
2 This is correct. Terbutaline is given to mothers for uterine tachysystole in labor, and its
effect is limited to how quickly the drug is cleared from the maternal system.
3 This is correct. Illicit drugs such as cocaine can cause fetal tachycardia and additionally
can cause placental abruption.
4 This is correct. Fetal tachycardia can be linked to maternal anxiety, and taking steps to
reduce it can correct the FHR.
5 This is incorrect. There is no link between hypertension and fetal tachycardia.
Additionally, lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that is not recommended in pregnancy.
Feedback
1 This is correct. Minimal variability can be caused by cord compression.
2 This is correct. Minimal variability can be caused by maternal supine hypotension.
3 This is correct. Minimal variability can be caused by fetal sleep.
4 This is incorrect. Minimal variability can be caused by fetal prematurity.
5 This is incorrect. Minimal variability can be caused by tachysystole.
Feedback
1 This is correct. Resting tone is an interpretation of uterine activity.
2 This is correct. Frequency is an interpretation of uterine activity.
3 This is correct. Intensity is an interpretation of uterine activity.
4 This is incorrect. Accelerations are an interpretation of periodic and episodic fetal
changes.
5 This is correct. Duration of uterine contractions is an interpretation of uterine activity.