What characterizes a Category 1 fetal heart rate tracing?

A Category 1 fetal heart rate tracing is characterized by a normal baseline heart rate range of 110 to 160 beats per minute and moderate variability in the heart rate. This indicates that the fetus is well-oxygenated and that neurological responses are intact; moderate variability shows a healthy response to fetal movements and external stimuli.

This normal tracing does not include the presence of any decelerations, which means that the absence of variable decelerations, late decelerations, or any significant concerns is essential in categorizing it as Category 1. In this context, the options that present abnormal signs, such as absent variability with late decels or minimal variability, do not fit the criteria for a Category 1 tracing, which reflects an overall favorable condition for the fetus during monitoring.