Mrs. Donna asked the nurse, when a fetal heart starts beating. The nurse correctly responded by stating.. 3 weeks AOG

Mrs. Donna asked the nurse, when a fetal heart starts beating.

The nurse correctly responded by stating:

• a. 3 weeks AOG
• b. 8 weeks AOG
• c. 12 weeks AOG
• d. 20 weeks AOG

Situation: Mrs. Dela Cruz is in labor and is brought to the emergency room with a ruptured bag of water.

Answer: A.

Fetal heart starts beating at 3 weeks AOG. The heart at this time is consisting of two parallel tubes.  By 8 weeks AOG, fetal heartbeat can be detected with an ultrasound. During 12 weeks AOG, the fetal heart rate is audible with a Doppler apparatus. A fetal heart beat is detectable with fetoscope by the 20th week AOG. (Source: Foundations of Maternal-Newborn Nursing by Murray and McKinney/Saunders 4th Ed.)