The nurse is preparing to assess the fetus of a laboring patient. Which assessment should the nurse perform first?
1. Perform Leopold's maneuver to determine fetal position.
2. Count the fetal heart rate for 30 seconds and multiply by two.
3. Dry the maternal abdomen before using the Doppler.
4. Place the patient into a left lateral position.
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: This is the first step so that the Doppler device can be placed directly over the heart, and multiple unsuccessful attempts to hear the heart rate are avoided.
Rationale 2: Although this is how to auscultate the fetal heart rate, it is better to perform Leopold's maneuver to determine fetal position so that the Doppler device can be placed directly over the heart, and multiple unsuccessful attempts to hear the heart rate are avoided.
Rationale 3: Prior to using the Doppler device, a water-based gel is applied to the skin.
Rationale 4: The fetal heart tone assessment should be performed while the patient is either supine with a lateral tilt or while in left lateral position. Leopold's maneuver is performed first to determine where to listen for fetal heart tones.
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