How does the nurse assess uterine resting tone and contraction intensity during external fetal monitoring?

The assessment of uterine resting tone and contraction intensity is most effectively conducted by palpating the uterus during and between contractions. This hands-on method allows the nurse to feel the muscle firmness of the uterine wall. When palpating, the nurse can determine if the uterus is resting (soft) or if it is in a contracted state (firm), thereby measuring both the resting tone and the intensity of the contractions. This technique is foundational in obstetrics because it offers immediate, tactile feedback about the uterus's condition.

In contrast, while electronic monitoring provides a continuous readout of fetal heart rates and uterine contractions, it does not give a direct assessment of the uterine tonicity or the intensity of the contractions in the same way that palpation does. Similarly, measuring the duration of contractions solely reflects how long the contractions last and does not provide insight into how strong they are or the resting tone of the uterus. A fetoscope is primarily used for listening to the fetal heart tones rather than for assessing uterine activity. Therefore, palpation stands out as the most appropriate technique for this assessment.