ch 15

Question 1

electronic fetal monitoring

Answer 1

i-s a useful tool for visualizing fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns on monitor screen or printed tracing

• First widely used in 1970s
• Anticipated effect was a decrease in cerebral palsy & fetal death
• Believed to be more sensitive than auscultation in predicting fetal compromise

Question 2

why monitor in labor

Answer 2

• fetal response

- fetal O2

Question 3

fetal response

Answer 3

• Labor is a period of physiologic stress for fetus
• Frequent monitoring of fetal status is part of nursing care during labor
• Fetal oxygen supply must be maintained during labor to prevent fetal compromise

Question 4

fetal o2 supply can decrease

Answer 4

-Reduction of blood flow through maternal vessels as result of:
Maternal hypertension: chronic or pregnancy-induced hypertension
Hypotension caused by supine maternal position, hemorrhage, epidural analgesia, or anesthesia
Hypovolemia caused by hemorrhage

-Reduction of oxygen content in maternal blood as result of hemorrhage or severe anemia
-Alterations in fetal circulation with compression of umbilical cord
-Reduction in blood flow to intervillous space
in placenta

Question 5

goal of fhr monitoring

Answer 5

is to identify FHR patterns indicative of fetal compromise & prevent long term sequela