NCC Certified Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM) Practice Exam

In cases of fetal distress, which intervention is often considered first?

1. Immediate cesarean section

2. Maternal repositioning

3. Increased fluid intake

4. Administration of oxygen

The correct answer is: Maternal repositioning

In cases of fetal distress, maternal repositioning is often considered the first intervention because it can help alleviate pressure on the umbilical cord, improve placental perfusion, and enhance fetal oxygenation. By changing the mother's position, such as turning her onto her side, the angle of the uterus can be adjusted, which may relieve compression on the cord if that is the source of the distress. This approach is typically non-invasive and can be quickly implemented to assess its effectiveness. If the fetal heart rate pattern improves after maternal repositioning, it indicates that the distress may have been related to the position of the mother rather than more serious complications. While other options like administration of oxygen or increased fluid intake may also be beneficial, they generally follow the initial repositioning in the hierarchy of interventions. Immediate cesarean section is reserved for more severe or unresponsive cases, making maternal repositioning the most immediate and potentially effective first step in management.