Fetal tone is assessed in which monitoring technique?

Fetal tone is a crucial component assessed during a biophysical profile (BPP). The BPP evaluates several parameters to determine fetal well-being, including fetal heart rate, breathing movements, gross body movements, fetal tone, and amniotic fluid volume. Among these parameters, fetal tone specifically refers to the normal active movements and postures of the fetus, reflecting its state of central nervous system functioning.

In a BPP, the presence of fetal tone is indicated by the observation of any flexion and extension movements of the limbs or the presence of normal muscle tone. This assessment helps to provide an insight into the neurological status of the fetus as well as overall well-being.

Other monitoring techniques such as the contraction stress test and non-stress test (NST) primarily focus on heart rate responsiveness and contractions rather than on active movements or tone. The amniotic fluid index assessment is focused on measuring the amount of amniotic fluid present and does not directly evaluate fetal movements or tone. Therefore, the BPP is the right approach for assessing fetal tone among the options presented.