The most common cause of decreased variability in the fetal heart rate (FHR) that lasts 30 minutes or less is:
fetal sleep cycles.
umbilical cord compression.
altered cerebral blood flow.
fetal hypoxemia.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Fetal sleep cycles are a normal physiological cause of decreased variability in the FHR, which is the fluctuation of the baseline FHR above and below 2 cycles per minute. Fetal sleep cycles usually last 20 to 40 minutes and do not affect the fetal well-being.
Choice B reason: Umbilical cord compression is an abnormal cause of decreased variability in the FHR, as it reduces the blood flow and oxygen delivery to the fetus. It can also cause variable decelerations, which are abrupt decreases in the FHR below the baseline.
Choice C reason: Altered cerebral blood flow is an abnormal cause of decreased variability in the FHR, as it indicates a compromise in the fetal central nervous system. It can also cause late decelerations, which are gradual decreases in the FHR after the peak of a contraction.
Choice D reason: Fetal hypoxemia is an abnormal cause of decreased variability in the FHR, as it reflects a severe lack of oxygen in the fetal blood. It can also cause sinusoidal pattern, which is a smooth, undulating waveform in the FHR.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Quickening is the first perception of fetal movement by the mother, usually occurring between 16 and 20 weeks of gestation. It is a presumptive sign of pregnancy, as it can be subjective and influenced by other factors such as gas or peristalsis.
Choice B reason: A positive pregnancy test is a probable sign of pregnancy, as it indicates the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the urine or blood. However, it is not conclusive, as it can be affected by false positives or false negatives, or by other conditions that produce hCG.
Choice C reason: Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular, painless uterine contractions that occur throughout pregnancy. They are a probable sign of pregnancy, as they indicate uterine activity and preparation for labor. However, they are not diagnostic, as they can also occur in non-pregnant women or in response to other stimuli.
Choice D reason: Fetal movement palpated by the nurse-midwife is a positive sign of pregnancy, as it confirms the presence of a living fetus in the uterus. It is an objective and reliable sign that can be detected by a skilled examiner after 20 weeks of gestation.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: A blood pressure increase to 138/86 mm Hg is not a concerning finding for preeclampsia. The diagnostic criteria for preeclampsia include a BP of 140/90 mm Hg or higher on two occasions at least 4 hours apart, or a BP of 160/110 mm Hg or higher on one occasion.
Choice B reason: Pitting pedal edema at the end of the day is not a concerning finding for preeclampsia. Edema is a common symptom of pregnancy and can be influenced by factors such as hydration, activity, and posture. Edema is not a reliable indicator of preeclampsia.
Choice C reason: Weight gain of 0.5 kg during the past 2 weeks is not a concerning finding for preeclampsia. The recommended weight gain for a normal-weight woman during pregnancy is 11.5 to 16 kg, with an average of 0.4 kg per week in the second and third trimesters.
Choice D reason: A dipstick value of 3+ for protein in her urine is a concerning finding for preeclampsia. Proteinuria is one of the hallmark signs of preeclampsia and indicates renal impairment. A dipstick value of 3+ corresponds to a protein concentration of 300 mg/dL or higher, which is considered severe.
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