Advanced Fetal Monitoring Practice Exam 2025 - Free Fetal Monitoring Practice Questions and Study Guide

In the context of cord compression, the correct response highlights the physiological effects that this condition has on fetal heart rate. When the umbilical cord is compressed, it can lead to a decrease in blood flow and oxygen supply to the fetus. This situation triggers a series of reflex responses, one of which involves the activation of baroreceptors—sensors in the body that respond to changes in pressure.

Baroreceptors are sensitive to changes in blood pressure; when they detect a decrease due to reduced perfusion from cord compression, they send signals to the autonomic nervous system. In response, there is a compensatory reaction that results in a decrease in the fetal heart rate. This decrease is a protective mechanism that helps to conserve energy and oxygen for vital organs while responding to the stressor of hypoxia, which can result from compromised blood flow caused by the cord compression.

Thus, the correct answer reflects the physiological changes in fetal heart rate that occur in response to the stress of cord compression, illustrating the dynamic interplay between the fetus's cardiovascular responses and the challenges introduced by cord issues.