A new patient and her partner arrive on the labour,delivery,recovery,and postpartum unit for the birth of their first child.You apply the electronic fetal monitor (EFM)to the woman.Her partner asks you to explain what is printing on the graph,referring to the EFM strip.He wants to know what the baby's heart rate should be.What is the basis of the nurse's response?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Basing the response on factual information,that the top line graphs the baby's heart rate,which is between 110 and 160 but fluctuates somewhat,educates the partner about fetal monitoring and provides support and information to alleviate his fears.Basing the response on not providing information discredits the partner's feelings and does not provide the teaching he is requesting.Basing the response on inaccurate information,that is,the top line graphs the baby's heart rate and the bottom line lets the nurse know how strong the contractions are,is not appropriate and does not address the partner's concerns about the fetal heart rate.The EFM graphs the frequency and duration of the contractions,not the intensity.Nurses should take every opportunity to provide patient and family teaching,especially when information is requested.

A New Patient and Her Partner Arrive on the Labour,delivery,recovery,and