Sample interview questions: Can you explain the steps you take to ensure proper monitoring and management of maternal fetal heart rate patterns during labor?
Sample answer:
During labor, ensuring proper monitoring and management of maternal fetal heart rate patterns is crucial to ensure the well-being of both the mother and the baby. As a Labor and Delivery Nurse, I follow a set of steps to achieve this:
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Initial assessment: When a woman is admitted to the labor and delivery unit, I perform an initial assessment that includes evaluating her medical history, gestational age, and any risk factors that may affect fetal well-being. This helps me establish a baseline for monitoring.
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Continuous electronic fetal monitoring (EFM): I initiate continuous EFM, which involves placing two sensors on the mother’s abdomen to monitor the fetal heart rate (FHR) and uterine contractions. This allows me to track the baby’s heart rate patterns throughout labor and quickly identify any abnormalities.
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Interpretation of FHR patterns: As labor progresses, I continuously assess and interpret the FHR patterns. I closely observe for accelerations (increases in FHR), decelerations (decreases in FHR), and baseline variability (fluctuations in FHR). These patterns provide crucial information about fetal well-being.
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Communication with the healthcare team: I maintain open communication with the obstetrician, midwife, or other healthcare providers involved in the delivery. Sharing observations and concerns allows for collaborative decision-making and timely interventions, if necessary.
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Interventions for abnormal FHR patterns: If I observe … Read full answer
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