AWHONN Intermediate Fetal Monitoring Exam
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1. Which fetal heart rate (FHR) characteristic is considered the most
reassuring indicator of adequate fetal oxygenation?
A. Baseline rate of 170 bpm
B. Minimal variability
C. Moderate variability
D. Recurrent late decelerations
Answer: C. Moderate variability
Rationale: Moderate FHR variability reflects a normally functioning fetal
autonomic nervous system and is one of the most reassuring features of
fetal status. It suggests adequate oxygenation and neurologic integrity
at the time of observation.
2. What is the normal baseline fetal heart rate for a fetus at term?
,A. 90–110 bpm
B. 100–140 bpm
C. 110–160 bpm
D. 160–190 bpm
Answer: C. 110–160 bpm
Rationale: The normal baseline FHR is 110–160 beats per minute. A
baseline below 110 bpm is classified as bradycardia, while a baseline
above 160 bpm for at least 10 minutes is classified as tachycardia.
3. How is fetal heart rate baseline determined?
A. Over a 2-minute period
B. Over a 5-minute period
C. Over a 10-minute window
D. Over a 30-minute window
Answer: C. Over a 10-minute window
Rationale: Baseline FHR is determined over a 10-minute window,
rounded to increments of 5 bpm. At least 2 minutes of interpretable FHR
data within the window are needed to establish the baseline.
, 4. A fetal heart rate baseline of 165 bpm sustained for 10 minutes is
classified as:
A. Normal baseline
B. Fetal bradycardia
C. Fetal tachycardia
D. Sinusoidal pattern
Answer: C. Fetal tachycardia
Rationale: Fetal tachycardia is defined as a baseline FHR greater than
160 bpm lasting at least 10 minutes. Maternal fever, infection,
medications, fetal hypoxia, and other conditions can contribute to fetal
tachycardia.
5. Which finding best describes moderate fetal heart rate variability?
A. Undetectable amplitude changes
B. Amplitude range of 6–25 bpm
C. Amplitude range greater than 40 bpm
D. A perfectly regular waveform
Answer: B. Amplitude range of 6–25 bpm
, Rationale: Moderate variability is defined as an amplitude range of 6–
25 bpm. It reflects normal beat-to-beat and longer-term fluctuations in
the fetal heart rate and is generally reassuring.
6. Which factor can commonly cause transient fetal tachycardia?
A. Maternal fever
B. Maternal hypothermia
C. Fetal sleep alone
D. Maternal bradycardia
Answer: A. Maternal fever
Rationale: Maternal fever is an important cause of fetal tachycardia.
Other possible contributors include infection, medications such as beta-
agonists, fetal stimulation, and fetal hypoxemia.
7. A fetus has a baseline of 140 bpm with moderate variability and
no decelerations. How should this tracing initially be interpreted?
A. Category I
B. Category II
C. Category III
D. Sinusoidal
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale 2027 Q&A| Instant
Download Pdf
1. Which fetal heart rate (FHR) characteristic is considered the most
reassuring indicator of adequate fetal oxygenation?
A. Baseline rate of 170 bpm
B. Minimal variability
C. Moderate variability
D. Recurrent late decelerations
Answer: C. Moderate variability
Rationale: Moderate FHR variability reflects a normally functioning fetal
autonomic nervous system and is one of the most reassuring features of
fetal status. It suggests adequate oxygenation and neurologic integrity
at the time of observation.
2. What is the normal baseline fetal heart rate for a fetus at term?
,A. 90–110 bpm
B. 100–140 bpm
C. 110–160 bpm
D. 160–190 bpm
Answer: C. 110–160 bpm
Rationale: The normal baseline FHR is 110–160 beats per minute. A
baseline below 110 bpm is classified as bradycardia, while a baseline
above 160 bpm for at least 10 minutes is classified as tachycardia.
3. How is fetal heart rate baseline determined?
A. Over a 2-minute period
B. Over a 5-minute period
C. Over a 10-minute window
D. Over a 30-minute window
Answer: C. Over a 10-minute window
Rationale: Baseline FHR is determined over a 10-minute window,
rounded to increments of 5 bpm. At least 2 minutes of interpretable FHR
data within the window are needed to establish the baseline.
, 4. A fetal heart rate baseline of 165 bpm sustained for 10 minutes is
classified as:
A. Normal baseline
B. Fetal bradycardia
C. Fetal tachycardia
D. Sinusoidal pattern
Answer: C. Fetal tachycardia
Rationale: Fetal tachycardia is defined as a baseline FHR greater than
160 bpm lasting at least 10 minutes. Maternal fever, infection,
medications, fetal hypoxia, and other conditions can contribute to fetal
tachycardia.
5. Which finding best describes moderate fetal heart rate variability?
A. Undetectable amplitude changes
B. Amplitude range of 6–25 bpm
C. Amplitude range greater than 40 bpm
D. A perfectly regular waveform
Answer: B. Amplitude range of 6–25 bpm
, Rationale: Moderate variability is defined as an amplitude range of 6–
25 bpm. It reflects normal beat-to-beat and longer-term fluctuations in
the fetal heart rate and is generally reassuring.
6. Which factor can commonly cause transient fetal tachycardia?
A. Maternal fever
B. Maternal hypothermia
C. Fetal sleep alone
D. Maternal bradycardia
Answer: A. Maternal fever
Rationale: Maternal fever is an important cause of fetal tachycardia.
Other possible contributors include infection, medications such as beta-
agonists, fetal stimulation, and fetal hypoxemia.
7. A fetus has a baseline of 140 bpm with moderate variability and
no decelerations. How should this tracing initially be interpreted?
A. Category I
B. Category II
C. Category III
D. Sinusoidal
