FAU Advanced Health Assessment Practice Test

During a third trimester visit, if a fetal heart tone was reported as 140, which part of the body was used for palpation to check the fetal position?

1. Fundus

2. Pubic symphysis

3. Flanks

4. Umbilicus

The correct answer is: Pubic symphysis

In assessing fetal position during a third trimester visit, palpation at the pubic symphysis is particularly useful for determining the fetal head's position and engagement in the pelvis. At this stage of pregnancy, the fetus is typically in a head-down position, and palpating the pubic symphysis helps the clinician assess whether the fetal head is descending into the pelvic inlet. Palpating this area allows for evaluation of the fetal station, which refers to the position of the fetus in relation to the ischial spines of the mother's pelvis. This assessment is crucial for understanding the progress of labor and potential delivery outcomes. Other areas such as the fundus can provide information about the general fetal position and overall lie, while palpation of the flanks can help identify the location of the fetal back. Palpating the umbilicus does not provide information about the position of the fetus but rather indicates where the umbilical cord is located and may not be as informative regarding the fetal presentation. Thus, palpation at the pubic symphysis is the most direct and effective method to evaluate the fetal position in this context.