AWHONN ADVANCED FETAL MONITORING
ACTUAL EXAM 2026 VERIFIED QUESTIONS
AND COMPLETE ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS
◉ When do ST-segment and T-wave changes occur? Answer: with
myocardial ischemia, prior to permanent cell damage.
◉ What are ST-segment and T-wave elevation indicative of? Answer:
fetus at risk of developing hypoxia but still capable of responding
against hypoxemia.
◉ What are ST-segment and T-wave depression indicative of?
Answer: has been associated with the inability of the fetal heart to
further respond to hypoxia, indicating that the fetus either had no
time to respond or has exhausted compensatory mechanisms.
◉ When are fetal ST changes clinically relevant? Answer: when they
coincide with category 2 tracings
◉ How do you differentiate an irregular heart rate from possible
artifact or electronic interference? Answer: - auscultation
- ultrasound
, - echocardiogram
- ecg
◉ What is an arrhythmia? Answer: - the sporadic, irregular beats
typical of the frequent fetal events heard or recorded on the tracing
- When there is a disturbance in the heart cell's ability to form and
discharge an impulse independently (automaticity & excitability),
cardiac rhythm may become tachycardic, bradycardic, or irregular
with ectopic beats or premature rhythms such as premature atrial
contractions.
◉ How are arrythmias categorized? Answer: - based upon the
anatomical site of variant impulse formation, conduction, or a
combination of both
◉ What is the prognosis regarding arryhtmias? Answer: - Most are
benign and require no intervention
- Most will convert to a normal sinus rhythm after birth
◉ Where does the electrical impulse that governs heart rate and
rhythm originate? Answer: in the SA Node located in the right
atrium
ACTUAL EXAM 2026 VERIFIED QUESTIONS
AND COMPLETE ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS
◉ When do ST-segment and T-wave changes occur? Answer: with
myocardial ischemia, prior to permanent cell damage.
◉ What are ST-segment and T-wave elevation indicative of? Answer:
fetus at risk of developing hypoxia but still capable of responding
against hypoxemia.
◉ What are ST-segment and T-wave depression indicative of?
Answer: has been associated with the inability of the fetal heart to
further respond to hypoxia, indicating that the fetus either had no
time to respond or has exhausted compensatory mechanisms.
◉ When are fetal ST changes clinically relevant? Answer: when they
coincide with category 2 tracings
◉ How do you differentiate an irregular heart rate from possible
artifact or electronic interference? Answer: - auscultation
- ultrasound
, - echocardiogram
- ecg
◉ What is an arrhythmia? Answer: - the sporadic, irregular beats
typical of the frequent fetal events heard or recorded on the tracing
- When there is a disturbance in the heart cell's ability to form and
discharge an impulse independently (automaticity & excitability),
cardiac rhythm may become tachycardic, bradycardic, or irregular
with ectopic beats or premature rhythms such as premature atrial
contractions.
◉ How are arrythmias categorized? Answer: - based upon the
anatomical site of variant impulse formation, conduction, or a
combination of both
◉ What is the prognosis regarding arryhtmias? Answer: - Most are
benign and require no intervention
- Most will convert to a normal sinus rhythm after birth
◉ Where does the electrical impulse that governs heart rate and
rhythm originate? Answer: in the SA Node located in the right
atrium
