Fetal Monitoring & Assessment Flashcards

What is the normal baseline fetal heart rate (FHR) range according to NICHD guidelines?

Answer: 110–160 bpm

The normal baseline FHR is 110–160 bpm; values outside this range indicate bradycardia or tachycardia requiring further evaluation.

Which device uses Doppler ultrasound to detect fetal heart movement at the bedside?

Answer: Handheld Doppler (Doppler fetoscope)

A handheld Doppler device emits and receives ultrasound waves to detect fetal cardiac movement, making it the standard bedside tool.

A non-stress test (NST) primarily evaluates fetal well-being by assessing:

Answer: FHR accelerations associated with fetal movement

An NST is reactive when fetal movement triggers FHR accelerations, indicating an intact autonomic nervous system and adequate oxygenation.

For a full-term pregnancy, a reactive NST requires at least how many accelerations within 20 minutes?

Answer: 2 accelerations of 15 bpm lasting 15 seconds

A reactive NST at ≥32 weeks requires at least 2 accelerations of ≥15 bpm above baseline, each lasting ≥15 seconds, within a 20-minute window.

Which assessment is considered the gold standard for evaluating fetal acid-base status intrapartum?

Answer: Fetal scalp blood sampling

Fetal scalp blood sampling directly measures fetal pH and lactate, providing the most accurate assessment of fetal acid-base status.

A biophysical profile (BPP) assesses fetal well-being using which combination of parameters?

Answer: Fetal breathing, gross movement, tone, AFI, and NST

The BPP evaluates five components — fetal breathing movements, gross body movements, tone, amniotic fluid index, and NST — each scored 0 or 2.

Early decelerations on an electronic fetal monitor are caused by which mechanism?

Answer: Fetal head compression during contractions

Early decelerations mirror contractions and result from vagal stimulation due to fetal head compression; they are benign and require no intervention.