Intrauterine pressure catheter readings over 10 minutes show four contractions with peak pressures of 55, 60, 50, and 45 mm Hg above baseline tone. Calculate the Montevideo units and state whether labor is adequate:

• A 240 MVUs, adequate
• B 160 MVUs, inadequate
• C 210 MVUs, adequate ✓
• D 85 MVUs, inadequate

Explanation

Montevideo units equal the sum of peak contraction pressures minus baseline resting tone across contractions in a 10-minute window. Here (55 plus 60 plus 50 plus 45) totals 210 MVUs, exceeding the threshold of about 200 MVUs that defines adequate labor. Option D incorrectly averages instead of summing, and option A adds baseline tone to each contraction.

Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.