Try our free nursing testbanks today. click here to join
Teas 7 test, Hesi A2 and Nursing prep
Nursingprepexams LEARN. PREPARE. EXCEL!
  • Home
  • Nursing
  • TEAS
  • HESI
  • Blog
Start Studying Now

Take full exam for free

The labor and delivery nurse is caring for a client in active labor.

The nurse notes the fetal heart rate baseline is 175 bpm, moderate variability.

Accelerations are absent and no decelerations noted.

 

How should the nurse describe this tracing to the medical provider?

A.

Category I.

B.

Category II.

C.

Category III.

D.

Category IV.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A rationale

 

Category I tracings are considered normal and are associated with a well-oxygenated, non-acidotic fetus with a normal fetal heart rate baseline, moderate variability, and no late or variable decelerations. However, a baseline heart rate of 175 bpm is considered tachycardia, which does not fit the criteria for Category I.

 

Choice B rationale

 

Category II tracings are indeterminate and include any fetal heart rate pattern that does not fit into Category I or III. A baseline heart rate of 175 bpm with moderate variability and no accelerations or decelerations fits into this category. This indicates that the fetus may be experiencing some stress but is not in immediate danger.

 

Choice C rationale

 

Category III tracings are abnormal and are associated with an increased risk of fetal acidemia. These tracings include absent baseline variability with recurrent late or variable decelerations, bradycardia, or a sinusoidal pattern. The given tracing does not meet these criteria as it shows moderate variability and no decelerations.

 

Choice D rationale

 

There is no Category IV in the classification of fetal heart rate tracings. The standard classification includes only Categories I, II, and III.


Free Nursing Test Bank

  1. Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
  2. Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
  3. Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
  4. Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
  5. Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
  6. Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
  7. Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
  8. Free Community Health Quiz 8
  9. Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
  10. Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
Take full exam free

View Related questions

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale

While a negative result in a Contraction Stress Test (CST) is desirable, this choice does not fully explain the significance of the result. A negative CST indicates that there are no late decelerations in the fetal heart rate in response to uterine contractions, suggesting that the fetus can handle the stress of labor.

Choice B rationale

This choice describes the criteria for a reactive Nonstress Test (NST), not a Contraction Stress Test (CST). In a CST, the focus is on the fetal heart rate response to contractions, not the number of contractions or variability.

Choice C rationale

A negative result in a CST indicates fetal well-being, meaning that the fetus can tolerate the stress of uterine contractions without showing signs of distress, such as late decelerations in the heart rate. This result suggests that the fetus is likely to handle labor well.

Choice D rationale

A positive result in a CST indicates that the fetus has late decelerations in response to contractions, which can be a sign of fetal distress. This result may suggest fetal growth restriction, lower Apgar scores, and the potential need for cesarean delivery. However, this choice does not fully capture the significance of a positive CST result.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Early decelerations are not caused by umbilical cord compression. Umbilical cord compression typically leads to variable decelerations, which have a different pattern and clinical significance.

Choice B rationale

Early decelerations are not caused by uteroplacental insufficiency. Uteroplacental insufficiency is associated with late decelerations, which occur after the peak of a contraction and indicate reduced blood flow to the fetus.

Choice C rationale

Early decelerations are not a result of the administration of medications. Medications can affect fetal heart rate patterns, but early decelerations are specifically related to fetal head compression.

Choice D rationale

Early decelerations are related to fetal head compression. They occur as the fetal head descends into the maternal pelvis and are generally considered benign, indicating normal labor progression.

Quick Links

Nursing Teas Hesi Blog

Resources

Nursing Test banks Teas Prep Hesi Prep Nursingprepexams Blogs
© Nursingprepexams.com @ 2019 -2025, All Right Reserved.