A fetal heart rate below 90 beats per minute is termed what?

A fetal heart rate below 90 beats per minute is termed what?

• A. Tachycardia
• B. Bradycardia
• C. Arrhythmia
• D. Normocardic

Answer: (B)

Slow fetal heart rate is called bradycardia. The fetus normally runs about 110–160 beats per minute, so a rate that falls into the 90s is categorized as bradycardia. Tachycardia would be a rate that's faster than normal, arrhythmia means an irregular rhythm, and normocardic means a normal rate. So a fetal heart rate below 90 bpm fits bradycardia—and sustained bradycardia can indicate fetal stress or other concerns that warrant further evaluation.

Slow fetal heart rate is called bradycardia. The fetus normally runs about 110–160 beats per minute, so a rate that falls into the 90s is categorized as bradycardia. Tachycardia would be a rate that's faster than normal, arrhythmia means an irregular rhythm, and normocardic means a normal rate. So a fetal heart rate below 90 bpm fits bradycardia—and sustained bradycardia can indicate fetal stress or other concerns that warrant further evaluation.