Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client who is in the first stage of labor, undergoing external fetal monitoring, and receiving IV fluid. The nurse observes variable decelerations in the fetal heart rate on the monitor strip. Which of the following is a correct interpretation of this finding?
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Correct Answer:
Variable decelerations are due to umbilical cord compression
Rationale:
🟢 Variable decelerations are characterized by abrupt decreases in fetal heart rate unrelated to contractions’ timing.
🟢 They are caused by umbilical cord compression, which reduces blood flow and oxygen to the fetus temporarily.
🟢 This differs from early decelerations (fetal head compression) and late decelerations (uteroplacental insufficiency).
🟢 Variable decelerations may require nursing interventions such as repositioning the client.
🟢 Recognizing the cause is essential for appropriate fetal monitoring.
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This question is from RN ATI Maternal Newborn Care~Nurs140 which contains 39 questions.
More Questions from This Exam
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A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a tracheostomy, and has copious and tenacious secretions. Which of the following is an acceptable method for the nurse to use to thin this client's secretions?
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A nurse in a prenatal clinic is caring for a client. Using Leopold maneuvers, the nurse palpates a round, firm, movable part in the fundus of the uterus and a long, smooth surface on the client's right side. In which abdominal quadrant should the nurse expect to auscultate fetal heart tones?
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A nurse is caring for a client who is at 39 weeks of gestation and is in active labor. The nurse locates the fetal heart tones above the client's umbilicus at midline. The nurse should suspect that the fetus is in which of the followingpositions?
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI Maternal & Newborn Care
- Answer Choices: 4