McKinney: Chapter 17: Intrapartum
Fetal Surveillance Test Bank
Questions Fully Solved.
Which maternal condition is considered a contraindication for the application of internal
monitoring devices?
a. Unruptured membranes
b. Cervix is dilated to 4 cm
c. External monitors are currently being used
d. Fetus has a known heart defect - Answer a. Unruptured membranes
To apply internal monitoring devices, the membranes must be ruptured. Cervical dilation of 4
cm permits the insertion of fetal scalp electrodes and intrauterine catheter. The external
monitor can be discontinued after the internal ones are applied. A compromised fetus should be
monitored with the most accurate monitoring devices. p. 338
The nursing student is planning to assess a fetal heart rate. The registered nurse reminds the
student to get gel. Which method of assessing the fetal heart rate is the student planning on
conducting?
a. Fetoscope
b. Tocodynamometer
c. Doppler
d. Scalp electrode - Answer c. Doppler
Doppler is the only listed method involving ultrasonic transmission of fetal heart rates; it
requires use of a gel. p. 338
A nurse manager plans staffing for the Labor and Delivery unit. How does the available staff
influence the selection of either continuous electronic or intermittent auscultation as the fetal
monitoring method?
a. There must be a 1:1 nurse-to-patient ratio regardless of the method used.
, A one-to-one ratio is needed during the second stage of labor or if a high-risk condition exists,
regardless of the monitoring method used. Intermittent auscultation is more staff-intensive.
Less nursing time is needed with electronic monitoring, giving the nurse more time for teaching
and supporting the laboring woman. p. 336
A student nurse is placing a tocotransducer on a woman for electronic fetal monitoring. What
action by the student indicates to the registered nurse that the student understands the
procedure?
a. Places the tocotransducer over the uterine fundus
b. Prepares sterile field for fetal scalp electrode placement
c. Positions the tocotransducer on the woman's upper arm
d. Attaches the tocotransducer to the woman's lower abdomen - Answer a. Places the
tocotransducer over the uterine fundus
The tocotransducer monitors uterine activity and should be placed over the fundus, where the
most intensive uterine contractions occur. No sterile field is needed. The tocotransducer is not
placed on the upper arm or lower abdomen. p.338
A student nurse is preparing to administer misoprostol (Cytotec). What action by the student
seen by the registered nurse demonstrates adequate knowledge about this medication?
a. Assesses maternal blood pressure 30 minutes after administration
b. Assesses fetal heart tones prior to administering the medication
c. Documents the drug administration in the woman's chart
d. Takes and records an apical pulse for 1 minute prior to administration - Answer b. Assesses
fetal heart tones prior to administering the medication
Fetal heart tones should be assessed prior to giving cervical ripening agents such as
misoprostol. It is not necessary to assess maternal blood pressure afterward or an apical pulse
prior to administering the medication. Documentation of all medications is a legal requirement
but is not related specifically to this drug. Box 17.2
A woman has a history of hypertension during pregnancy. What method of intrapartum fetal
monitoring does the nurse initiate?
Fetal Surveillance Test Bank
Questions Fully Solved.
Which maternal condition is considered a contraindication for the application of internal
monitoring devices?
a. Unruptured membranes
b. Cervix is dilated to 4 cm
c. External monitors are currently being used
d. Fetus has a known heart defect - Answer a. Unruptured membranes
To apply internal monitoring devices, the membranes must be ruptured. Cervical dilation of 4
cm permits the insertion of fetal scalp electrodes and intrauterine catheter. The external
monitor can be discontinued after the internal ones are applied. A compromised fetus should be
monitored with the most accurate monitoring devices. p. 338
The nursing student is planning to assess a fetal heart rate. The registered nurse reminds the
student to get gel. Which method of assessing the fetal heart rate is the student planning on
conducting?
a. Fetoscope
b. Tocodynamometer
c. Doppler
d. Scalp electrode - Answer c. Doppler
Doppler is the only listed method involving ultrasonic transmission of fetal heart rates; it
requires use of a gel. p. 338
A nurse manager plans staffing for the Labor and Delivery unit. How does the available staff
influence the selection of either continuous electronic or intermittent auscultation as the fetal
monitoring method?
a. There must be a 1:1 nurse-to-patient ratio regardless of the method used.
, A one-to-one ratio is needed during the second stage of labor or if a high-risk condition exists,
regardless of the monitoring method used. Intermittent auscultation is more staff-intensive.
Less nursing time is needed with electronic monitoring, giving the nurse more time for teaching
and supporting the laboring woman. p. 336
A student nurse is placing a tocotransducer on a woman for electronic fetal monitoring. What
action by the student indicates to the registered nurse that the student understands the
procedure?
a. Places the tocotransducer over the uterine fundus
b. Prepares sterile field for fetal scalp electrode placement
c. Positions the tocotransducer on the woman's upper arm
d. Attaches the tocotransducer to the woman's lower abdomen - Answer a. Places the
tocotransducer over the uterine fundus
The tocotransducer monitors uterine activity and should be placed over the fundus, where the
most intensive uterine contractions occur. No sterile field is needed. The tocotransducer is not
placed on the upper arm or lower abdomen. p.338
A student nurse is preparing to administer misoprostol (Cytotec). What action by the student
seen by the registered nurse demonstrates adequate knowledge about this medication?
a. Assesses maternal blood pressure 30 minutes after administration
b. Assesses fetal heart tones prior to administering the medication
c. Documents the drug administration in the woman's chart
d. Takes and records an apical pulse for 1 minute prior to administration - Answer b. Assesses
fetal heart tones prior to administering the medication
Fetal heart tones should be assessed prior to giving cervical ripening agents such as
misoprostol. It is not necessary to assess maternal blood pressure afterward or an apical pulse
prior to administering the medication. Documentation of all medications is a legal requirement
but is not related specifically to this drug. Box 17.2
A woman has a history of hypertension during pregnancy. What method of intrapartum fetal
monitoring does the nurse initiate?
