Concerning the causes of decelerations on a CTG, which of the following statements are TRUE?

• A. False: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency, not head compression.
• B. False: Early decelerations are usually normal, not pathological.
• C. False: Early decelerations indicate head compression, not uteroplacental insufficiency.
• D. True
• E. True

Causes of decelerations

• Late = uteroplacental insufficiency; variable = cord compression; early = head compression (normal).

Why A is false

Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency, not head compression.

Why B is false

Early decelerations are usually normal, not pathological.

Why C is false

Early decelerations indicate head compression, not uteroplacental insufficiency.

Why D is true

Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency.

Why E is true

Variable decelerations indicate cord compression.