What should be monitored closely in a patient suspected of having vasa previa?

Monitoring fetal heart rate variability is crucial in cases of suspected vasa previa because it can provide significant insights into the fetal condition and well-being. Vasa previa occurs when the fetal blood vessels are located near the cervical os, and these vessels can be at risk of rupture, especially during labor or with cervical exams.

When fetal heart rates are monitored, variability indicates the health and response of the fetus to surrounding conditions. Decreased or absent variability can signify fetal distress, which could result from compromised blood flow due to potential vessel rupture. This condition demands immediate attention, as it poses significant risks to both the fetus and the pregnancy.

While the other options pertain to aspects of maternal or fetal health, they do not directly relate to the timely assessment of potential complications arising specifically from vasa previa. For instance, monitoring fetal movement can indicate fetal well-being but may not provide immediate alerts regarding vascular compromise. Maternal blood pressure is important for maternal health but is less directly related to fetal risk in the context of vasa previa. Urinalysis results mostly assess maternal kidney function and urinary tract conditions rather than immediate fetal status. Thus, close monitoring of fetal heart rate variability is essential to ensure the prompt recognition and management of any potential crises associated with vasa