Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a full term client in labor who is prescribed continuous fetal monitoring. On examination. the nurse determines the client's membranes are intact. Which of the following assessment methods should the nurse implement?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
External ultrasound transducer monitor
Rationale:
🔷 With intact membranes, the safest and appropriate method for continuous fetal monitoring is an external ultrasound transducer, which does not require internal access.
🔷 External monitoring uses an ultrasound device placed on the maternal abdomen to continuously track the fetal heart rate (FHR) without breaking the membranes.
🔷 This method reduces risk of infection, fetal scalp trauma, and maternal tissue injury because it is noninvasive.
🔷 It is the standard first-line option for continuous monitoring when the fetus can be detected externally and the client’s membranes are intact.
🔷 It also allows ongoing assessment of fetal well-being (baseline, variability, accelerations, decelerations) while maintaining maternal-fetal safety.
Internal fetal scalp electrode
🔷A fetal scalp electrode requires ruptured membranes and sufficient cervical dilation so the electrode can contact the fetal presenting part.
🔷With intact membranes, it cannot be applied safely and increases risk of complications if attempted.
Transvaginal fetal Doppler probe
🔷A transvaginal Doppler is not used for continuous intrapartum monitoring in labor as a standard fetal monitoring method.
🔷Continuous monitoring is typically achieved by external ultrasound or internal electrode when membranes are ruptured.
DeLee-Hillis fetoscope
🔷A fetoscope provides intermittent auscultation, not continuous electronic fetal monitoring.
🔷It is also more user-dependent and does not provide continuous tracing needed for prescribed continuous monitoring.
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This question is from RN Maternal Newborn 2023 Dec 17 which contains 70 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI Maternal & Newborn Care
- Answer Choices: 4