NU-333 Exam 2 Prep Guide | Comprehensive Nursing Exam Review
Variability - ANS ✔✔irregular waves or fluctuations in baseline FHR. does not include
accelerations/decelerations. quantified in bpm. measured from peak to trough
absent variability - ANS ✔✔Amplitude range of the FHR fluctuations not detectable to the
unaided eye.
minimal variability - ANS ✔✔Amplitude range less than or equal to 5 bpm
moderate variability - ANS ✔✔amplitude range 6-25 bpm
marked variability - ANS ✔✔amplitude range greater than 25 bpm
Sinusodial Pattern - ANS ✔✔wavelike pattern, uncommon but occurs with severe fetal anemia
clinical significance of fetal bradycardia - ANS ✔✔depends on the underlying cause and the
accompanying FHR patterns, including variability, accelerations or decelerations
clinical significance of fetal tachycardia - ANS ✔✔only abnormal when associated with late
decelerations, severe variable decelerations or absent variability
Periodic changes in FHR - ANS ✔✔Associated with uterine contractions
episodic changes in FHR - ANS ✔✔not associated with uterine contractions
accelerations - ANS ✔✔Periodic increases in the baseline fetal heart rate
, clinical significance of accelerations - ANS ✔✔normal pattern; signifies fetal well-being
decelerations - ANS ✔✔periodic decrease in the baseline fetal heart rate
can be early, late, variable, prolonged
early decelerations - ANS ✔✔*safe* Begin prior to peak of the contraction and end by the end
of it. they are caused by HEAD COMPRESSION. no need for intervention if variability is within
normal range (6-10) and the FHR is within normal range.
late decelration - ANS ✔✔visually apparent gradual decrease (onset to nadir is greater or equal
to 30 sec) of the FHR and return to baseline associated with a uterine contraction
disruption of OXYGEN transfer
Variable decelerations - ANS ✔✔HR up or down, cord compression = VERY BAD
Prolapsed cord= push head up, change mom position
nursing management of abnormal patterns - ANS ✔✔- Supplemental oxygen
- Maternal position changes
- Increasing intravenous fluids
nursing management for prolonged decelerations - ANS ✔✔1. Discontinue oxytocin if infusing.
2. Assist woman to lateral (side-lying) position.
3. Administer oxygen at 10 L/min by nonrebreather face mask.
4. Correct maternal hypotension by elevating legs.
Variability - ANS ✔✔irregular waves or fluctuations in baseline FHR. does not include
accelerations/decelerations. quantified in bpm. measured from peak to trough
absent variability - ANS ✔✔Amplitude range of the FHR fluctuations not detectable to the
unaided eye.
minimal variability - ANS ✔✔Amplitude range less than or equal to 5 bpm
moderate variability - ANS ✔✔amplitude range 6-25 bpm
marked variability - ANS ✔✔amplitude range greater than 25 bpm
Sinusodial Pattern - ANS ✔✔wavelike pattern, uncommon but occurs with severe fetal anemia
clinical significance of fetal bradycardia - ANS ✔✔depends on the underlying cause and the
accompanying FHR patterns, including variability, accelerations or decelerations
clinical significance of fetal tachycardia - ANS ✔✔only abnormal when associated with late
decelerations, severe variable decelerations or absent variability
Periodic changes in FHR - ANS ✔✔Associated with uterine contractions
episodic changes in FHR - ANS ✔✔not associated with uterine contractions
accelerations - ANS ✔✔Periodic increases in the baseline fetal heart rate
, clinical significance of accelerations - ANS ✔✔normal pattern; signifies fetal well-being
decelerations - ANS ✔✔periodic decrease in the baseline fetal heart rate
can be early, late, variable, prolonged
early decelerations - ANS ✔✔*safe* Begin prior to peak of the contraction and end by the end
of it. they are caused by HEAD COMPRESSION. no need for intervention if variability is within
normal range (6-10) and the FHR is within normal range.
late decelration - ANS ✔✔visually apparent gradual decrease (onset to nadir is greater or equal
to 30 sec) of the FHR and return to baseline associated with a uterine contraction
disruption of OXYGEN transfer
Variable decelerations - ANS ✔✔HR up or down, cord compression = VERY BAD
Prolapsed cord= push head up, change mom position
nursing management of abnormal patterns - ANS ✔✔- Supplemental oxygen
- Maternal position changes
- Increasing intravenous fluids
nursing management for prolonged decelerations - ANS ✔✔1. Discontinue oxytocin if infusing.
2. Assist woman to lateral (side-lying) position.
3. Administer oxygen at 10 L/min by nonrebreather face mask.
4. Correct maternal hypotension by elevating legs.
