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Fetal Heart Rate Decelerations — NCLEX Cheat Sheet

Late = bad; VEAL CHOP
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👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team 🕐 Updated 2026-07-11 🏷️ Physiological Adaptation 🔖 Free to read, print, and share
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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Fetal Heart Rate Decelerations on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!

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Early

Key facts
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Variable

Key facts
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Late

Key facts
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Do

Nursing actions
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Quick Tip

Early decelerations mirror the contraction (onset and return with the contraction) and are caused by fetal head compression; they are benign.

📖 Related Topics

HypokalemiaHyperkalemiaHyponatremiaHeart Failure
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