The nurse cares for four clients in labor on the maternity unit. Which of the following patients should the nurse see FIRST?

It is normal to feel increased pressure with the transition phase of labor. A fetal heartbeat of 160 plus or minus five beats describes good variation. A fetal heartbeat that dips during a contraction before returning to baseline “at its conclusion” perfectly describes early decelerations. The correct answer, however, describes variable decelerations (unrelated to contractions) which are due to cord compression.