Which fetal heart rate finding should cause the most concern in a pregnant woman with a fractured ankle?

A fetal heart rate of 206 beats per minute is considered tachycardia and is a significant finding that can indicate fetal distress or possible hypoxia. In the context of a pregnant woman with additional stressors like a fractured ankle, an elevated fetal heart rate could be a response to maternal pain, anxiety, or insufficient oxygenation.

Tachycardia may suggest that the fetus is experiencing some form of stress or compromised well-being, potentially necessitating further evaluation and monitoring. It’s essential for healthcare providers to assess the situation more closely, as persistent tachycardia could lead to more serious outcomes if not addressed.

The other options, while they may require monitoring, do not indicate immediate fetal distress in the same manner. For instance, the mother feeling two contractions every hour might be within a normal range depending on the stage of pregnancy, and fetal movements of 4 kicks in an hour is generally considered normal activity. Additionally, a hemoglobin level of 11 g/dL, while on the lower side, is not uncommon in pregnancy and does not pose an immediate risk to fetal heart rate compared to the significantly elevated rate seen in this scenario.