Fetal Heart Rate Assessment Exam
Questions with Correct Answers
Which assessments of uterine activity are obtained by the nurse when the client has an
intrauterine pressure catheter (IUPC) placed? Select all that apply.
A. Frequency
B. Intensity
C. Duration
D. Fetal heart rate (FHR)
E. Resting tone - Answer-A. Frequency
B. Intensity
C. Duration
E. Resting tone
The provider wants to insert an intrauterine pressure catheter (IUPC) into a pregnant
client. Which client does the nurse recognize as the client most likely to warrant
placement of an IUPC?
A. A client with a category I tracing
B. A client progressing 2 cm an hour, but who doesn't feel her contractions because of
her epidural
C. A client whose membranes are ruptured, has an examination of 5/90/-2 and a
worsening category II tracing with moderate variables
D. A client with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 in latent labor - Answer-C. A client
whose membranes are ruptured, has an examination of 5/90/-2 and a worsening
category II tracing with moderate variables
A nurse is admitting a diabetic client with decreased fetal movement at 39 weeks'
gestation. As the nurse adjusts the tocodynamometer (toco) and ultrasound transducer
on the client, a fetal heart rate (FHR) in the 80s is noted. Which is the most appropriate
nursing action?
A. Readjust the ultrasound and toco.
B. Confirm maternal heart rate to FHR.
C. Call for an ultrasound.
D. Call the provider. - Answer-B. Confirm maternal heart rate to FHR.
The nurse evaluates the tracing on a client and notices six contractions in 10 minutes.
Which assessment regarding the contraction pattern is the priority?
A. What is the intensity?
B. What is the duration?
C. What is the resting tone?
D. What are possible causes? - Answer-D. What are possible causes?
, The labor and delivery (L&D) educator has explained to a group of nurses how the
uteroplacental unit functions. Which components are necessary for the fetus to receive
appropriate oxygenation? Select all that apply.
A. Adequate oxygenation of the mother
B. Adequate uteroplacental circulation
C. Adequate umbilical circulation
D. Adequate fetal blood volume
E. Adequate blood flow to the placenta - Answer-A. Adequate oxygenation of the
mother
B. Adequate uteroplacental circulation
C. Adequate umbilical circulation
E. Adequate blood flow to the placenta
While assessing a pregnant client, the nurse notes the fetal heart rate (FHR) is 125 with
moderate variability, no accelerations, and no decelerations. Using the National Institute
of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) criteria, which would the nurse
record as the appropriate category related to the assessment findings?
A. Category I: Strongly predictive of a well- oxygenated, non-acidotic fetus. No action
required.
B. Category II: Indeterminate. Requires continued surveillance and reevaluation.
C. Category III: Abnormal requiring prompt evaluation and intervention.
D. Category IV: Fetal demise. - Answer-A. Category I: Strongly predictive of a well-
oxygenated, non-acidotic fetus. No action required.
The nurse notes a fetal heart rate (FHR) deceleration that begins after the peak of the
contraction and ends once the contraction is over. What is the priority nursing action for
this client?
A. Administer oxygen at 10 L/min via nonrebreather face mask.
B. Give an IV bolus.
C. Discontinue oxytocin.
D. Change the maternal position. - Answer-D. Change the maternal position.
The nurse is caring for a client who is a G4P3 at 38 weeks' gestation, contracting every
3 minutes. Which assessment finding by the nurse requires immediate action?
A. Fetal heart rate (FHR) of 105 per minute for the last 15 minutes
B. Variable decelerations with two contractions
C. Minimal variability
D. Contraction duration of 60 to 70 seconds - Answer-C. Minimal variability
The nurse has just completed a fetal monitoring course and is explaining the normal
findings of structured intermittent auscultation (SIA) with a handheld Doppler. Which
would the nurse identify as a normal finding of SIA? Select all that apply.
A. Moderate variability
B. Normal baseline between 110 to 160 bpm
C. Regular rhythm
D. Presence of fetal heart rate (FHR) increases from baseline
Questions with Correct Answers
Which assessments of uterine activity are obtained by the nurse when the client has an
intrauterine pressure catheter (IUPC) placed? Select all that apply.
A. Frequency
B. Intensity
C. Duration
D. Fetal heart rate (FHR)
E. Resting tone - Answer-A. Frequency
B. Intensity
C. Duration
E. Resting tone
The provider wants to insert an intrauterine pressure catheter (IUPC) into a pregnant
client. Which client does the nurse recognize as the client most likely to warrant
placement of an IUPC?
A. A client with a category I tracing
B. A client progressing 2 cm an hour, but who doesn't feel her contractions because of
her epidural
C. A client whose membranes are ruptured, has an examination of 5/90/-2 and a
worsening category II tracing with moderate variables
D. A client with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 in latent labor - Answer-C. A client
whose membranes are ruptured, has an examination of 5/90/-2 and a worsening
category II tracing with moderate variables
A nurse is admitting a diabetic client with decreased fetal movement at 39 weeks'
gestation. As the nurse adjusts the tocodynamometer (toco) and ultrasound transducer
on the client, a fetal heart rate (FHR) in the 80s is noted. Which is the most appropriate
nursing action?
A. Readjust the ultrasound and toco.
B. Confirm maternal heart rate to FHR.
C. Call for an ultrasound.
D. Call the provider. - Answer-B. Confirm maternal heart rate to FHR.
The nurse evaluates the tracing on a client and notices six contractions in 10 minutes.
Which assessment regarding the contraction pattern is the priority?
A. What is the intensity?
B. What is the duration?
C. What is the resting tone?
D. What are possible causes? - Answer-D. What are possible causes?
, The labor and delivery (L&D) educator has explained to a group of nurses how the
uteroplacental unit functions. Which components are necessary for the fetus to receive
appropriate oxygenation? Select all that apply.
A. Adequate oxygenation of the mother
B. Adequate uteroplacental circulation
C. Adequate umbilical circulation
D. Adequate fetal blood volume
E. Adequate blood flow to the placenta - Answer-A. Adequate oxygenation of the
mother
B. Adequate uteroplacental circulation
C. Adequate umbilical circulation
E. Adequate blood flow to the placenta
While assessing a pregnant client, the nurse notes the fetal heart rate (FHR) is 125 with
moderate variability, no accelerations, and no decelerations. Using the National Institute
of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) criteria, which would the nurse
record as the appropriate category related to the assessment findings?
A. Category I: Strongly predictive of a well- oxygenated, non-acidotic fetus. No action
required.
B. Category II: Indeterminate. Requires continued surveillance and reevaluation.
C. Category III: Abnormal requiring prompt evaluation and intervention.
D. Category IV: Fetal demise. - Answer-A. Category I: Strongly predictive of a well-
oxygenated, non-acidotic fetus. No action required.
The nurse notes a fetal heart rate (FHR) deceleration that begins after the peak of the
contraction and ends once the contraction is over. What is the priority nursing action for
this client?
A. Administer oxygen at 10 L/min via nonrebreather face mask.
B. Give an IV bolus.
C. Discontinue oxytocin.
D. Change the maternal position. - Answer-D. Change the maternal position.
The nurse is caring for a client who is a G4P3 at 38 weeks' gestation, contracting every
3 minutes. Which assessment finding by the nurse requires immediate action?
A. Fetal heart rate (FHR) of 105 per minute for the last 15 minutes
B. Variable decelerations with two contractions
C. Minimal variability
D. Contraction duration of 60 to 70 seconds - Answer-C. Minimal variability
The nurse has just completed a fetal monitoring course and is explaining the normal
findings of structured intermittent auscultation (SIA) with a handheld Doppler. Which
would the nurse identify as a normal finding of SIA? Select all that apply.
A. Moderate variability
B. Normal baseline between 110 to 160 bpm
C. Regular rhythm
D. Presence of fetal heart rate (FHR) increases from baseline
