NCC EFM practice Exam
Questions and Answers
With rationales 2026\2027 update
This Exam contains:
Guarantee passing score
Questions and Ansẉers
format set of multiple-choice
Expert-Verified rationales
Verified ẉith trusted textbooks
,───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
─
According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development (NICHD) terminology, what is the normal baseline fetal
heart rate (FHR) range?
A) 100-150 bpm
B) 110-160 bpm
C) 120-170 bpm
D) 90-140 bpm
Answer: B
Rationale: The NICHD defines a normal baseline FHR as 110-160
beats per minute.
Which of the following is defined as a decrease in FHR below the
baseline of 15 bpm or more, lasting 2 minutes or more but less than
10 minutes?
A) Prolonged deceleration
B) Variable deceleration
C) Late deceleration
D) Baseline change
Answer: A
Rationale: A prolonged deceleration is a decrease in FHR below the
baseline of 15 bpm or more, lasting 2 minutes or more but less than
10 minutes. A change of 10 minutes or more is a baseline change.
What is the primary physiologic cause of early decelerations?
A) Uteroplacental insufficiency
B) Fetal hypoxia
C) Fetal head compression
D) Umbilical cord compression
,Answer: C
Rationale: Early decelerations are caused by fetal head compression,
which triggers a vagal response, slowing the fetal heart rate.
A FHR tracing shows absent variability with recurrent late
decelerations. According to NICHD, this is classified as:
A) Category I
B) Category II
C) Category III
D) Indeterminate
Answer: C
Rationale: Category III tracings indicate abnormal fetal acid-base
status. Criteria include absent variability with recurrent late
decelerations, variable decelerations, or bradycardia.
Which intervention is most appropriate for a patient experiencing
tachysystole with moderate variability and no decelerations?
A) Immediate cesarean delivery
B) Administer terbutaline subcutaneously
C) Reposition the patient and apply oxygen
D) Conservative management and hydration
Answer: D
Rationale: Tachysystole alone without associated FHR changes
(Category II) does not require emergency intervention. Conservative
management such as hydration and repositioning is the first step.
What is the definition of tachysystole according to NICHD?
A) More than 5 contractions in 10 minutes, averaged over a 30-
minute window
, B) More than 4 contractions in 10 minutes, averaged over a 20-
minute window
C) Contractions lasting longer than 90 seconds
D) Contractions occurring every 2 minutes
Answer: A
Rationale: Tachysystole is specifically defined as more than 5
contractions in 10 minutes, averaged over a 30-minute window.
Which medication is most likely to cause a decrease in FHR
variability?
A) Magnesium sulfate
B) Terbutaline
C) Nifedipine
D) Betamethasone
Answer: A
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is a central nervous system
depressant that crosses the placenta and commonly causes
decreased or absent FHR variability.
A 32-week gestation patient has a FHR baseline of 165 bpm with
moderate variability. How is this baseline classified?
A) Tachycardia
B) Normal
C) Bradycardia
D) Sinusoidal
Answer: A
Rationale: A baseline FHR greater than 160 bpm is defined as
tachycardia, regardless of gestational age under NICHD definitions.
Questions and Answers
With rationales 2026\2027 update
This Exam contains:
Guarantee passing score
Questions and Ansẉers
format set of multiple-choice
Expert-Verified rationales
Verified ẉith trusted textbooks
,───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
─
According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development (NICHD) terminology, what is the normal baseline fetal
heart rate (FHR) range?
A) 100-150 bpm
B) 110-160 bpm
C) 120-170 bpm
D) 90-140 bpm
Answer: B
Rationale: The NICHD defines a normal baseline FHR as 110-160
beats per minute.
Which of the following is defined as a decrease in FHR below the
baseline of 15 bpm or more, lasting 2 minutes or more but less than
10 minutes?
A) Prolonged deceleration
B) Variable deceleration
C) Late deceleration
D) Baseline change
Answer: A
Rationale: A prolonged deceleration is a decrease in FHR below the
baseline of 15 bpm or more, lasting 2 minutes or more but less than
10 minutes. A change of 10 minutes or more is a baseline change.
What is the primary physiologic cause of early decelerations?
A) Uteroplacental insufficiency
B) Fetal hypoxia
C) Fetal head compression
D) Umbilical cord compression
,Answer: C
Rationale: Early decelerations are caused by fetal head compression,
which triggers a vagal response, slowing the fetal heart rate.
A FHR tracing shows absent variability with recurrent late
decelerations. According to NICHD, this is classified as:
A) Category I
B) Category II
C) Category III
D) Indeterminate
Answer: C
Rationale: Category III tracings indicate abnormal fetal acid-base
status. Criteria include absent variability with recurrent late
decelerations, variable decelerations, or bradycardia.
Which intervention is most appropriate for a patient experiencing
tachysystole with moderate variability and no decelerations?
A) Immediate cesarean delivery
B) Administer terbutaline subcutaneously
C) Reposition the patient and apply oxygen
D) Conservative management and hydration
Answer: D
Rationale: Tachysystole alone without associated FHR changes
(Category II) does not require emergency intervention. Conservative
management such as hydration and repositioning is the first step.
What is the definition of tachysystole according to NICHD?
A) More than 5 contractions in 10 minutes, averaged over a 30-
minute window
, B) More than 4 contractions in 10 minutes, averaged over a 20-
minute window
C) Contractions lasting longer than 90 seconds
D) Contractions occurring every 2 minutes
Answer: A
Rationale: Tachysystole is specifically defined as more than 5
contractions in 10 minutes, averaged over a 30-minute window.
Which medication is most likely to cause a decrease in FHR
variability?
A) Magnesium sulfate
B) Terbutaline
C) Nifedipine
D) Betamethasone
Answer: A
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is a central nervous system
depressant that crosses the placenta and commonly causes
decreased or absent FHR variability.
A 32-week gestation patient has a FHR baseline of 165 bpm with
moderate variability. How is this baseline classified?
A) Tachycardia
B) Normal
C) Bradycardia
D) Sinusoidal
Answer: A
Rationale: A baseline FHR greater than 160 bpm is defined as
tachycardia, regardless of gestational age under NICHD definitions.
