Question

A fetal heart rate (FHR) tracing shows an early deceleration pattern. The nurse is aware that this indicates which interpretation?

A. The FHR slows early in the contraction, which is a normal finding.
B. The FHR slows early in the contraction, which indicated fetal hypoxia.
C. The FHR slows at the peak of the contraction, which is a normal finding.
D. The FHR slows at the peak of the contraction, which indicates maternal hypoxia.

Answer 1

An early deceleration pattern on a fetal heart rate (FHR) tracing is a normal finding and not indicative of fetal or maternal hypoxia.

Step-by-step explanation:

An early deceleration pattern on a fetal heart rate (FHR) tracing indicates that the FHR slows early in the contraction. This is a normal finding and is not a sign of fetal hypoxia or maternal hypoxia. It is important to note that an early deceleration pattern is characterized by a gradual decrease in the FHR that mirrors the contraction and returns to baseline by the end of the contraction.