The fetal heart rate baseline is 140 beats per minute. When contractions begin, the fetal heart rate drops suddenly to 120 and rapidly returns to 140 before the end of the contraction. Which nursing intervention is best?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A sudden drop in fetal heart rate during contractions followed by a rapid return to baseline suggests a possible umbilical cord compression. Changing the patient's position can relieve pressure on the cord and restore normal fetal heart rate. Applying oxygen and determining the color of amniotic fluid may be important interventions, but they are not the priority in this situation. A cesarean birth may be needed if the fetal heart rate does not recover, but it is not the first intervention to consider.

The Fetal Heart Rate Baseline Is 140 Beats Per Minute