Author: Rana Waqar

Interpretation of the Electronic Fetal Heart Rate During Labor
The fetal heart rate tracing shows ALL of the following: Baseline FHR 110-160 BPM, moderate FHR variability, accelerations may be present or absent, no late or variable decelerations, may have early decelerations.

MATERNAL/CHILD HEALTH (OB): FETAL HEART TONES ACRONYM

VEAL CHOP
Variable decelerations…..Cord compression
Early decelerations………Head compression
Accelerations…………….OK, may need Oxygen
Late decelerations……….Placental Insufficiency

INTERVENTIONS
Variable decels → reposition mother to knee-chest position to get baby’s head off the cord OR use two fingers to lift the baby’s head off the cord until further interventions required
Early decels → sign that baby is descending into the pelvis, monitor as needed
Accelerations → reassuring (normal) sign; last for 15+ seconds and peaks 15+ beats/min
Late decels → worrisome sign; reposition mother, administer IV fluids and anticipate discontinuing/decreasing Oxytocin or administering a tocolytic to decrease contractions

Nursing Dosage/Medication Conversion Chart – Maths for Nurses Unit conversions
Drug Calculations
Drug calculations vary depending on whether you are dealing with liquid or solid medications, or if the dose is to be given over a period of time. In this section I will go over each of these situations in turn.
It is very important that you know how drug dosages are worked out, because it is good practise to always check calculations before giving medication, no matter who worked out the original amount. It is far better to point out a mistake on paper than overdose a patient.