Absent Variability in Patient Safety, Preventive & Ethics — Case | Ethics | SMLE Q#19027
SMLE Question #19027
Patient Safety, Preventive & Ethics
Ethics
Objective: OBJ-ETH-001
Last updated: March 2026
A 29-year-old G1P0 woman at 42 weeks’ gestation is in active labor. Pregnancy has been uncomplicated. She is alert, oriented, and demonstrates decision-making capacity. Continuous cardiotocography shows baseline fetal heart rate 130/min with absent variability and recurrent late decelerations. The obstetrician recommends urgent cesarean delivery, but she refuses after counseling and requests a second opinion. What is the most appropriate action by the doctor?
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