What finding would be considered abnormal in a fetal heart rate assessment?

Prepare for the NACE Care of Childbearing Family Test. Challenge yourself with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each detailed with hints and explanations. Ensure your success!

In a fetal heart rate assessment, late decelerations are considered an abnormal finding. Late decelerations are characterized by a gradual decrease in the fetal heart rate that begins after the peak of a contraction and returns to the baseline after the contraction has ended. This pattern may indicate uteroplacental insufficiency, which can potentially compromise oxygenation to the fetus and can be associated with fetal distress.

In contrast, the presence of accelerations is a positive sign, indicating fetal well-being, as they typically reflect an intact central nervous system and normal fetal heart rate variability. Peak rates between 130-140 beats per minute fall within a normal range for a fetal heart rate, suggesting that the fetus is likely healthy and not under stress. Stable baseline readings also signify a stable and non-compromised fetal condition, further suggesting overall fetal well-being. Therefore, late decelerations are of particular concern and warrant further assessment and possible intervention.

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