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NCC ELECTRONIC FETAL MONITORING
CERTIFICATION (EFM) EXAM, PRACTICE EXAM AND
TEST BANK 2026
Which of the following factors can have a negative effect on uterine
blood flow?
a. Hypertension
b. Epidural
c. Hemorrhage
d. Diabetes
e. All of the above - ANSWER -e. All of the above
How does the fetus compensate for decreased maternal circulating
volume?
a. Increases cardiac output by increasing stroke volume.
b. Increases cardiac output by increasing it's heart rate.
c. Increases cardiac output by increasing fetal movement. - ANSWER -b.
Increases cardiac output by increasing it's heart rate.
Stimulating the vagus nerve typically produces:
a. A decrease in the heart rate
b. An increase in the heart rate
c. An increase in stroke volume
pg. 1
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d. No change - ANSWER -a. A decrease in the heart rate
What initially causes a chemoreceptor response?
a. Epidurals
b. Supine maternal position
c. Increased CO2 levels
d. Decreased O2 levels
e. A & C
f. A & B
g. C & D - ANSWER -g. C & D
The vagus nerve begins maturation 26 to 28 weeks. Its dominance
results in what effect to the FHR baseline?
a. Increases baseline
b. Decreases baseline - ANSWER -b. Decreases baseline
T/F: Oxygen exchange in the placenta takes place in the intervillous
space. - ANSWER -True
T/F: The parasympathetic nervous system is a cardioaccelerator. -
ANSWER -False
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T/F: Baroreceptors are stretch receptors which respond to increases or
decreases in blood pressure. - ANSWER -True
T/F: There are two electronic fetal monitoring methods of obtaining the
fetal heart rate: the ultrasound transducer and the fetal spiral
electrode. - ANSWER -True
T/F: Variability can be determined with the fetoscope. - ANSWER -False
T/F: Because the ultrasound transducer and toco transducer are sealed
units, they can be dipped in warm water to make cleaning easier. -
ANSWER -False
T/F: The most common artifact with the ultrasound transducer system
for fetal heart rate is increased variability. - ANSWER -True
T/F: All fetal monitors contain a logic system designed to reject artifact.
- ANSWER -True
T/F: The monitor should always be tested before starting a tracing,
either external or internal mode and labeled a test. - ANSWER -True
T/F: The paper speed on the fetal monitor should always be set at
1cm/min. - ANSWER -False
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T/F: Both internal and external monitoring methods are equally
accurate means of obtaining the fetal heart rate and contraction
patterns. - ANSWER -False
T/F: The external toco is usually placed over the uterine fundus to pick
up contractions. - ANSWER -True
T/F: The external toco gives measurable uterine pressure. - ANSWER -
False
T/F: The fetal spiral electrode can be placed when vaginal bleeding of
unknown origin is present. - ANSWER -False
T/F: The ultrasound transducer is usually placed on the side of the
uterus over the baby's back, as the fetal heart is heard best there. -
ANSWER -True
T/F: The spiral electrode is used to more accurately determine the
frequency, duration, and intensity of uterine contractions. - ANSWER -
False
T/F: The heart rate from a well-applied fetal spiral electrode can only be
fetal, not maternal. - ANSWER -False
pg. 4
NCC ELECTRONIC FETAL MONITORING
CERTIFICATION (EFM) EXAM, PRACTICE EXAM AND
TEST BANK 2026
Which of the following factors can have a negative effect on uterine
blood flow?
a. Hypertension
b. Epidural
c. Hemorrhage
d. Diabetes
e. All of the above - ANSWER -e. All of the above
How does the fetus compensate for decreased maternal circulating
volume?
a. Increases cardiac output by increasing stroke volume.
b. Increases cardiac output by increasing it's heart rate.
c. Increases cardiac output by increasing fetal movement. - ANSWER -b.
Increases cardiac output by increasing it's heart rate.
Stimulating the vagus nerve typically produces:
a. A decrease in the heart rate
b. An increase in the heart rate
c. An increase in stroke volume
pg. 1
,2|Page
d. No change - ANSWER -a. A decrease in the heart rate
What initially causes a chemoreceptor response?
a. Epidurals
b. Supine maternal position
c. Increased CO2 levels
d. Decreased O2 levels
e. A & C
f. A & B
g. C & D - ANSWER -g. C & D
The vagus nerve begins maturation 26 to 28 weeks. Its dominance
results in what effect to the FHR baseline?
a. Increases baseline
b. Decreases baseline - ANSWER -b. Decreases baseline
T/F: Oxygen exchange in the placenta takes place in the intervillous
space. - ANSWER -True
T/F: The parasympathetic nervous system is a cardioaccelerator. -
ANSWER -False
pg. 2
,3|Page
T/F: Baroreceptors are stretch receptors which respond to increases or
decreases in blood pressure. - ANSWER -True
T/F: There are two electronic fetal monitoring methods of obtaining the
fetal heart rate: the ultrasound transducer and the fetal spiral
electrode. - ANSWER -True
T/F: Variability can be determined with the fetoscope. - ANSWER -False
T/F: Because the ultrasound transducer and toco transducer are sealed
units, they can be dipped in warm water to make cleaning easier. -
ANSWER -False
T/F: The most common artifact with the ultrasound transducer system
for fetal heart rate is increased variability. - ANSWER -True
T/F: All fetal monitors contain a logic system designed to reject artifact.
- ANSWER -True
T/F: The monitor should always be tested before starting a tracing,
either external or internal mode and labeled a test. - ANSWER -True
T/F: The paper speed on the fetal monitor should always be set at
1cm/min. - ANSWER -False
pg. 3
, 4|Page
T/F: Both internal and external monitoring methods are equally
accurate means of obtaining the fetal heart rate and contraction
patterns. - ANSWER -False
T/F: The external toco is usually placed over the uterine fundus to pick
up contractions. - ANSWER -True
T/F: The external toco gives measurable uterine pressure. - ANSWER -
False
T/F: The fetal spiral electrode can be placed when vaginal bleeding of
unknown origin is present. - ANSWER -False
T/F: The ultrasound transducer is usually placed on the side of the
uterus over the baby's back, as the fetal heart is heard best there. -
ANSWER -True
T/F: The spiral electrode is used to more accurately determine the
frequency, duration, and intensity of uterine contractions. - ANSWER -
False
T/F: The heart rate from a well-applied fetal spiral electrode can only be
fetal, not maternal. - ANSWER -False
pg. 4
