The biophysical profile: antepartal assessment of fetal well-being.
The assessment of fetal well-being is a primary consideration for perinatal nurses. The biophysical profile is a clinical evaluation of the status of the fetus based on assessment of multiple discrete variables. This article describes current biophysical profile scoring systems, the physiologic basis of the fetal variables, and factors that may affect the variables. It also discusses issues related to future applications and refinement of the biophysical profile, as well as nursing implications of the technology.
Gebauer
C L
CL
Ob/Gyn Clinic, Columbus, OH 43210.
Lowe
N K
NK
D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D005260:Female; D005316:Fetal Distress / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing; D005323:Fetal Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005324:Fetal Movement; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal; D006801:Humans; D016389:Maternal-Child Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D009129:Muscle Tonus; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010920:Placenta / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012119:Respiration; D012720:Severity of Illness Index