A nurse is caring for a laboring patient with an external fetal monitor. The nurse notices late decelerations on the monitor strip.
What does the nurse interpret this as indicating?
Maternal bradycardia
Uteroplacental insufficiency
Umbilical cord compression
Fetal head compression
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
Maternal bradycardia refers to a slower than normal heart rate in the mother. While it can affect the baby’s health, it doesn’t cause late decelerations on the fetal monitor.
Choice B rationale
Late decelerations are caused by uteroplacental insufficiency, which is a decrease in the blood flow to the placenta that reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrients transferred to the fetus. This is why the nurse would interpret late decelerations as indicating uteroplacental insufficiency.
Choice C rationale
Umbilical cord compression can cause variable decelerations, not late decelerations. Variable decelerations are abrupt decreases in the fetal heart rate, typically associated with contractions, and they vary in onset, depth, and duration.
Choice D rationale
Fetal head compression typically causes early decelerations, not late decelerations. Early decelerations are a mirror image of the contraction and are generally not a concern.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Erythema toxicum is a common rash seen in newborns, characterized by blotchy red spots on the skin with overlying white or yellow papules or pustules. It does not present as small white nodules on the roof of the mouth.
Choice B rationale
Mongolian spots are a type of birthmark that are flat, blue, or blue-gray. They appear at birth or in the first or second week of life. They look similar to bruises and are most often found on the buttocks or lower back, but are never found on the roof of the mouth.
Choice C rationale
Epstein pearls are small, harmless white or yellow nodules that may appear along your newborn baby’s gums or on the roof of their mouth. They are common and usually go away within three months after birth.
Choice D rationale
Milia spots are tiny white bumps that appear across a baby’s nose, chin or cheeks. Milia are common in newborns but can occur at any age. Unlike Epstein pearls, they do not appear on the roof of the mouth.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Step 1 is: Calculate the Apgar score based on the given vital signs. The Apgar score is calculated based on five criteria: heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and color.
Step 2 is: Assign points for each criterion. For heart rate of 160 bpm, assign 2 points. For good, vigorous respiratory effort, assign 2 points. For active movement and well-flexed muscle tone, assign 2 points. For crying with stimulation of soles of feet (reflex irritability), assign 2 points. For body pink but feet and hands cyanotic (color), assign 1 point.
Step 3 is: Add up the points. 2 (heart rate) + 2 (respiratory effort) + 2 (muscle tone) + 2 (reflex irritability) + 1 (color) = 9 points. So, the correct Apgar score for this newborn is 9.
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