RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2022
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Easy

Foetoscope is used to -

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2022

Explanation

  • A fetoscope, commonly a Pinard horn, is an acoustic (non-electronic) instrument specifically designed for obstetric use.
  • Its primary and intended function is to auscultate, or listen to, the heart sounds of the fetus through the mother's abdomen.
  • This allows for intermittent monitoring of the fetal heart rate (FHR), which is a crucial indicator of fetal well-being during pregnancy and labor.
  • The instrument works by amplifying sound through its horn shape, making the faint fetal heartbeat audible to the human ear.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: A standard medical stethoscope, not a fetoscope, is used to auscultate the mother's heart sounds. A key nursing skill is to differentiate the mother's pulse from the fetal heart rate during assessment.
  • Option B: Visualization of the fetus is done using imaging technology, primarily ultrasonography (ultrasound). While a specialized surgical procedure called 'endoscopic fetoscopy' uses a fiber-optic scope to see the fetus, the common instrument known as a fetoscope (Pinard horn) is purely for listening.
  • Option D: Maternal abdominal sounds, such as bowel sounds (borborygmi), are assessed with a standard stethoscope as part of a general abdominal examination.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The primary function of a fetoscope in obstetric care as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • Monitoring the Fetal Heart Rate (FHR) is a fundamental nursing assessment in maternity care. The normal FHR is between 110 and 160 beats per minute.
  • When using a fetoscope, the nurse must simultaneously palpate the mother's radial pulse to differentiate the maternal heart rate from the fetal heart rate, ensuring an accurate count.
  • A significant change in FHR (tachycardia or bradycardia) can be an early sign of fetal distress, requiring prompt reporting and potential intervention.
How to Approach the Question
  • This is a factual recall question testing knowledge of common obstetric instruments.
  • First, identify the keyword in the stem: 'Foetoscope'.
  • Recall the primary purpose of this instrument. The 'scope' part suggests observation, and 'foeto' relates to the fetus. In this context, 'observation' is through hearing (auscultation).
  • Evaluate the options based on this knowledge. A fetoscope is specifically for the fetus, which eliminates options related to the mother's heart or abdomen.
  • Differentiate between 'hearing' and 'visualizing'. A fetoscope is an acoustic horn, designed for listening, not a camera for seeing.
  • Select the option that accurately describes listening to the fetal heart sounds.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: The primary function of a fetoscope in obstetric care.
  • Stem keywords: Foetoscope, used to
  • Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE

Question ID

Q7XB4MIhUK1sMNT4EiwaEs

Reference Book

E6 Midwifery Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Sandeep Kaur pp. 53-65, 38-46

E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health Nursing for BSc Nursing Students Part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-275 of 550) p. 200-202

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