Maternal Monitoring During Labor Related

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Which is fetal tachycardia likely caused by?

  • A. Compression of the umbilical cord
  • B. Maternal infection
  • C. Compression of the fetal head
  • D. Maternal hypertension
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Maternal infection. Maternal infection can lead to fetal tachycardia due to the transfer of inflammatory mediators from the mother to the fetus, causing an increase in the fetal heart rate. This physiological response is a common indicator of fetal distress in utero.

A: Compression of the umbilical cord can lead to fetal distress, but it typically manifests as bradycardia rather than tachycardia.
C: Compression of the fetal head can cause fetal distress, but it is more likely to result in decelerations in heart rate rather than tachycardia.
D: Maternal hypertension can lead to complications during pregnancy, but it is not typically associated with fetal tachycardia.