Inpatient Obstetric Nurse Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Prep Guide

Baseline fetal heart rate (FHR) is identified as the mean heart rate of the fetus, calculated over a specific time period, specifically 10 minutes, while excluding periods of fetal activity (such as accelerations or decelerations). The correct method involves averaging the FHR over this 10-minute interval. By focusing on a longer time frame, healthcare providers can achieve a more accurate representation of the fetus's baseline heart rate and assess any underlying issues related to fetal well-being.

Averaging over a shorter time frame, such as 5 minutes, would not accurately reflect the typical baseline heart rate, making it less reliable. Assessing FHR during contractions is important for monitoring fetal response to labor, but it does not contribute to establishing the baseline since it reflects the rate during an active phase rather than the resting baseline. Measuring FHR immediately after birth provides information about the newborn's condition but does not pertain to how baseline FHR is established prenatally.