AWHONN ADVANCED FHM FINAL SCRIPT
2026 SOLVED RESPONSES
◉ Resting tone when assessed externally is termed soft or firm.
When assessed via IUPC 5-20 is normal, >20 may be elevated tonus
and can hinder O2/CO2 exchange. Answer: What is resting tone and
how is it described?
◉ A frequency of (tachysystole) more than 5 contractions in 10 min.
over a 30 min. window. Answer: What is an unfavorable frequency of
contractions?
◉ Duration of contractions lasting more than 120 second may have a
negative impact on fetal oxygenation.. Answer: What is an
unfavorable duration for contractions?
◉ Intensity via palpation is termed mild, moderate or strong.
Intensity via IUPC averages 30mm hg in early 1st stage,
50-60 in the later 1st stage and
70-80 in the second stage of labor.. Answer: What is contraction
intensity and what are the averages via IUPC during early 1st stage,
late 1st stage, and the 2nd stage of labor?
,◉ MVU's quantify uterine activity over 10 min period, requires the
use of an IUPC.
Minus the resting tone from the peak intensity of each contraction in
a 10 min period and add the values together.
At least 200 MVU's results in progressive cervical change.. Answer:
What is a Montevideo unit (MVU)?
How do you calculate MVU's?
◉ Using your fingertips at the fundus you can assess duration and
frequency.
Intensity: nose= mild
chin=moderate
forehead=strong. Answer: How do you palpate a contraction?
Describe the intensities.
◉ Monitors changes in the contour of the maternal abdomen caused
by uterine contractions, is placed over the fundus. Can measure
relative changes in pressure, duration and frequency of contractions.
Can NOT measure intensity. Women with large amounts of
abdominal adipose tissue can be difficult to monitor.. Answer:
Explain what a Tocodynamometer is, what it measures and its
limitations.
◉ Most accurate method of assessing uterine contractions. Inserted
through dilated cervix, its sensor tip monitors changes in pressure of
,the amniotic fluid. Measures resting tone, duration, frequency and
intensity of contractions. Can NOT be used unless membranes are
ruptured.. Answer: Explain what an intrauterine pressure catheter
is, what it measures and its limitations.
◉ Fetal heart rate patterns
5 characteristics
1 Baseline heart rate
2 Rhythm
3 FHR variability
4 Presence of accelerations
5 Periodic or episodic deceleration's. Answer: How do you
determine fetal oxygenation?
Name the 5 characteristics
◉ Must be 2 min of segments.
Range 110-160 BPM (represented in a multiple of 5)
<32 weeks is usually high normal
>32 weeks gradual decrease due to increased vagal tone.
Change in baseline is >10min.. Answer: What are fetal baseline
guidelines?
Range?
<32 weeks gest
, >32 weeks gest
change in baseline
◉ It is the heart's internal pacemaker. It is specialized clump of cells
at the top of the right atrium that gives electrical impulses to cause
the heart to beat. The intrinsic rate is 110-160 in term fetus. Early in
gestation (15-20 wks) can be much higher. In 26-28 weeks may be in
the upper range of normal.. Answer: What is the SA Node?
◉ Generated in the fetal brainstem carried via sympathetic fibers to
the heart. Increases FHR, strength of myocardial contraction of the
heart and fetal cardiac output. Sympathetic stimulation influences
FHR variability. The sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous
system is present very early in fetal development.. Answer: Explain
the sympathetic impulses of the fetal central nervous system.
◉ Generated in the fetal brainstem carried via the vagus nerve to the
fetal heart. Stimulates vagus nerve which increases fetal blood
pressure, decreases firing rate at SA node and decreases FHR. Also
influences the presence of fetal heart variability. The
parasympathetic nervous system matures later in pregnancy. This
balances out the sympathetic branch, the baseline heart rate
gradually decreases toward the middle of the normal range..
Answer: Explain the parasympathetic impulses of the fetal central
nervous system.
2026 SOLVED RESPONSES
◉ Resting tone when assessed externally is termed soft or firm.
When assessed via IUPC 5-20 is normal, >20 may be elevated tonus
and can hinder O2/CO2 exchange. Answer: What is resting tone and
how is it described?
◉ A frequency of (tachysystole) more than 5 contractions in 10 min.
over a 30 min. window. Answer: What is an unfavorable frequency of
contractions?
◉ Duration of contractions lasting more than 120 second may have a
negative impact on fetal oxygenation.. Answer: What is an
unfavorable duration for contractions?
◉ Intensity via palpation is termed mild, moderate or strong.
Intensity via IUPC averages 30mm hg in early 1st stage,
50-60 in the later 1st stage and
70-80 in the second stage of labor.. Answer: What is contraction
intensity and what are the averages via IUPC during early 1st stage,
late 1st stage, and the 2nd stage of labor?
,◉ MVU's quantify uterine activity over 10 min period, requires the
use of an IUPC.
Minus the resting tone from the peak intensity of each contraction in
a 10 min period and add the values together.
At least 200 MVU's results in progressive cervical change.. Answer:
What is a Montevideo unit (MVU)?
How do you calculate MVU's?
◉ Using your fingertips at the fundus you can assess duration and
frequency.
Intensity: nose= mild
chin=moderate
forehead=strong. Answer: How do you palpate a contraction?
Describe the intensities.
◉ Monitors changes in the contour of the maternal abdomen caused
by uterine contractions, is placed over the fundus. Can measure
relative changes in pressure, duration and frequency of contractions.
Can NOT measure intensity. Women with large amounts of
abdominal adipose tissue can be difficult to monitor.. Answer:
Explain what a Tocodynamometer is, what it measures and its
limitations.
◉ Most accurate method of assessing uterine contractions. Inserted
through dilated cervix, its sensor tip monitors changes in pressure of
,the amniotic fluid. Measures resting tone, duration, frequency and
intensity of contractions. Can NOT be used unless membranes are
ruptured.. Answer: Explain what an intrauterine pressure catheter
is, what it measures and its limitations.
◉ Fetal heart rate patterns
5 characteristics
1 Baseline heart rate
2 Rhythm
3 FHR variability
4 Presence of accelerations
5 Periodic or episodic deceleration's. Answer: How do you
determine fetal oxygenation?
Name the 5 characteristics
◉ Must be 2 min of segments.
Range 110-160 BPM (represented in a multiple of 5)
<32 weeks is usually high normal
>32 weeks gradual decrease due to increased vagal tone.
Change in baseline is >10min.. Answer: What are fetal baseline
guidelines?
Range?
<32 weeks gest
, >32 weeks gest
change in baseline
◉ It is the heart's internal pacemaker. It is specialized clump of cells
at the top of the right atrium that gives electrical impulses to cause
the heart to beat. The intrinsic rate is 110-160 in term fetus. Early in
gestation (15-20 wks) can be much higher. In 26-28 weeks may be in
the upper range of normal.. Answer: What is the SA Node?
◉ Generated in the fetal brainstem carried via sympathetic fibers to
the heart. Increases FHR, strength of myocardial contraction of the
heart and fetal cardiac output. Sympathetic stimulation influences
FHR variability. The sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous
system is present very early in fetal development.. Answer: Explain
the sympathetic impulses of the fetal central nervous system.
◉ Generated in the fetal brainstem carried via the vagus nerve to the
fetal heart. Stimulates vagus nerve which increases fetal blood
pressure, decreases firing rate at SA node and decreases FHR. Also
influences the presence of fetal heart variability. The
parasympathetic nervous system matures later in pregnancy. This
balances out the sympathetic branch, the baseline heart rate
gradually decreases toward the middle of the normal range..
Answer: Explain the parasympathetic impulses of the fetal central
nervous system.
