AWHONN Fetal Monitoring Practice Test

The recommended intervention for managing late decelerations in fetal heart rate is often to change the maternal position or increase IV fluids. Late decelerations can indicate uteroplacental insufficiency, which can result in decreased oxygen delivery to the fetus. By changing the maternal position, specifically to the left side, it may help improve blood flow to the placenta and enhance fetal oxygenation. Increasing IV fluids can also assist by improving circulation and placental perfusion, thereby potentially alleviating the underlying issue leading to late decelerations. While other interventions like cesarean delivery and fetal scalp sampling may be necessary in more severe or urgent cases, they are typically not first-line strategies aimed at resolving late decelerations. Decreasing maternal activity could be counterproductive, as a more active blood flow through position changes is often more beneficial for correcting the cause of the decelerations.