NCC Certified Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM) Practice Exam

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How can maternal hypotension during labor affect fetal heart rate?

It leads to increased fetal heart rate variability

It can cause bradycardia or decreased fetal heart rate variability

Maternal hypotension during labor can significantly impact fetal heart rate, primarily by leading to bradycardia or decreased fetal heart rate variability. When a mother experiences low blood pressure, it can reduce uteroplacental perfusion and oxygen delivery to the fetus. This decrease in oxygen can trigger the fetal heart rate to slow down (bradycardia) as a protective mechanism. Furthermore, low blood flow can lead to less variability in the fetal heart rate, indicating that the fetus is experiencing some level of stress or compromised oxygenation.

Understanding this relationship is crucial for monitoring and managing labor, as timely identification of maternal hypotension can lead to interventions that improve the outcomes for both mother and child.

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It has no effect on fetal heart rate

It causes fetal tachycardia

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