Maternity Heartbeat Monitor Related

Review Maternity Heartbeat Monitor related questions and content

The nurse is caring for a patient who is in labor and being externally monitored. What should the nurse do after noting early decelerations of the FHR?

  • A. Anticipate a cesarean birth
  • B. Turn the patient onto the left side
  • C. Continue to monitor the patient
  • D. Notify the physician or nurse midwife immediately
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Continue to monitor the patient. Early decelerations are benign and occur due to head compression during contractions. They are a normal response to fetal head compression and do not require any intervention as they are self-limiting. Continuing to monitor the patient allows the nurse to observe the pattern of decelerations and ensure they remain early and resolve on their own. Anticipating a cesarean birth (choice A) is unnecessary as early decelerations do not indicate fetal distress. Turning the patient onto the left side (choice B) is typically done for late decelerations, not early decelerations. Notifying the physician or nurse midwife immediately (choice D) is not necessary for early decelerations as they are expected and do not require immediate intervention.