Advanced Fetal Monitoring Practice Exam

Terbutaline is a beta-agonist that is commonly used as a tocolytic agent to inhibit uterine contractions in preterm labor. Its mechanism of action includes stimulation of beta-2 adrenergic receptors, which can lead to an increase in heart rates. Specifically, terbutaline can cause an increase in both maternal heart rate and fetal heart rate baseline due to its systemic effects on the body.

By stimulating beta receptors, terbutaline promotes vasodilation and increased cardiac output, which contributes to an elevated heart rate in the mother. Simultaneously, this stimulation can also lead to increased fetal heart rate due to enhanced sympathetic activity. The rise in fetal heart rate can also reflect a response to maternal physiological changes, such as increased blood flow and oxygen delivery.

Therefore, it is appropriate to conclude that terbutaline increases both the fetal heart rate baseline and the maternal heart rate, making this the correct answer in this context. Understanding these effects is essential for healthcare professionals when managing labor and monitoring fetal well-being in patients receiving terbutaline.