On assessment of the fetal heart rate (FHR) of a laboring woman, the nurse discovers decelerations that have a gradual onset, last longer than 30 seconds, and return to the baseline rate with the completion of each contraction. The nurse plans care, knowing that this identifies which category of decelerations?
A.
Episodic, late decelerations that indicate uteroplacental insufficiency
B.
Periodic, early decelerations that indicate fetal head compression
C.
Periodic, variable decelerations that indicate cord compression
D.
Episodic, early decelerations that may be a result of maternal hypotension