FAU Advanced Health Assessment Practice Test

What should be evaluated to determine the position of the fetus during a prenatal assessment?

1. Maternal weight

2. Fetal heart tones

3. Leopold's maneuver

4. Contraction frequency

The correct answer is: Leopold's maneuver

In the context of assessing the position of the fetus during a prenatal evaluation, the correct choice emphasizes the use of Leopold's maneuvers. These maneuvers are a series of systematic palpations of the maternal abdomen that allow a healthcare provider to determine the fetus's position, presentation, and mobility. Leopold's maneuvers involve four key steps that involve feeling the abdomen to assess where the fetal parts are located, how the fetus is positioned in relation to the mother's pelvis, and whether the head is down (vertex presentation) or in another position. This hands-on examination is crucial during prenatal visits as it guides care decisions and can inform the healthcare provider about potential delivery issues depending on the infant's position. Other options do play roles in prenatal care, but they do not directly evaluate the position of the fetus. Maternal weight is important for assessing overall health and potential complications during pregnancy, while fetal heart tones indicate the baby's well-being but do not provide information about its position. Contraction frequency is relevant during labor and delivery to monitor progression but is not applicable in determining fetal positioning during prenatal assessments. Hence, the use of Leopold's maneuver is specifically dedicated to understanding fetal position.