The nurse knows that proper placement of the tocotransducer for electronic fetal monitoring is placed

A. Over the uterine fundus: The tocotransducer measures uterine contractions by detecting changes in abdominal wall tension, which are most prominent at the uterine fundus. Placement over the fundus allows optimal detection of contraction frequency and duration, even though intensity is not directly measured. Proper placement is essential for accurate external monitoring of uterine activity. B. On the fetal scalp: This placement is associated with internal fetal heart rate monitoring using a fetal scalp electrode, not with the tocotransducer. The tocotransducer is an external device and does not attach to the fetus or assess fetal heart rate directly. C. Inside uterus: Internal monitoring of uterine contractions requires an intrauterine pressure catheter (IUPC), not a tocotransducer. The tocotransducer is noninvasive and placed externally on the maternal abdomen rather than inside the uterine cavity. D. Over the mother’s lower abdomen: The lower abdomen does not provide reliable assessment of uterine contractions because contractions originate at the fundus and move downward. Placement here may result in inaccurate or weak contraction tracings.