Intrapartum Complication Related

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When the mother's membranes rupture during active labor, the fetal heart rate should be observed for the occurrence of which periodic pattern?

  • A. Early decelerations
  • B. Variable decelerations
  • C. Nonperiodic accelerations
  • D. Increase in baseline variability
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Variable decelerations. When the mother's membranes rupture during active labor, variable decelerations should be observed in the fetal heart rate. This is because the rupture of membranes can lead to umbilical cord compression, causing variable decelerations in the fetal heart rate pattern. Variable decelerations are characterized by abrupt and visually apparent decreases in heart rate variability.

A: Early decelerations are usually associated with head compression during contractions and are benign.
C: Nonperiodic accelerations are not a typical pattern seen in response to ruptured membranes during labor.
D: An increase in baseline variability is a positive sign and does not specifically indicate the occurrence of variable decelerations related to umbilical cord compression.