HESI Focus on Maternity Exam Related

Review HESI Focus on Maternity Exam related questions and content

A healthcare professional is caring for a client who is 14 weeks of gestation. At which of the following locations should the healthcare professional place the Doppler device when assessing the fetal heart rate?

  • A. Midline 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 in) above the symphysis pubis
  • B. Left Upper Abdomen
  • C. Two fingerbreadths above the umbilicus
  • D. Lateral at the Xiphoid Process
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: At 14 weeks of gestation, the uterus is still relatively low in the abdomen. Placing the Doppler midline 2 to 3 cm above the symphysis pubis is appropriate for assessing the fetal heart rate. This location allows for better detection of the fetal heart tones as the uterus is at a lower position during this stage of pregnancy. Placing the Doppler on the left upper abdomen would not be ideal at 14 weeks gestation as the uterus is not yet at that level. Placing it two fingerbreadths above the umbilicus or lateral at the xiphoid process would also not be accurate for locating the fetal heart rate at this stage of gestation.