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NCC EFM CERTIFICATION EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026\2027
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 - CORRECT 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. -
CORRECT 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
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d. No change - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT ANSWER - b. Decreases
baseline
T/F: Oxygen exchange in the placenta takes place in the
intervillous space. - CORRECT ANSWER - True
T/F: The parasympathetic nervous system is a
cardioaccelerator. - CORRECT ANSWER - False
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T/F: Baroreceptors are stretch receptors which respond to
increases or decreases in blood pressure. - CORRECT
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. - CORRECT ANSWER - True
T/F: Variability can be determined with the fetoscope. -
CORRECT 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. - CORRECT ANSWER - False
T/F: The most common artifact with the ultrasound transducer
system for fetal heart rate is increased variability. - CORRECT
ANSWER - True
T/F: All fetal monitors contain a logic system designed to reject
artifact. - CORRECT ANSWER - True
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T/F: The monitor should always be tested before starting a
tracing, either external or internal mode and labeled a test. -
CORRECT ANSWER - True
T/F: The paper speed on the fetal monitor should always be set
at 1cm/min. - CORRECT ANSWER - False
T/F: Both internal and external monitoring methods are equally
accurate means of obtaining the fetal heart rate and contraction
patterns. - CORRECT ANSWER - False
T/F: The external toco is usually placed over the uterine fundus
to pick up contractions. - CORRECT ANSWER - True
T/F: The external toco gives measurable uterine pressure. -
CORRECT ANSWER - False
T/F: The fetal spiral electrode can be placed when vaginal
bleeding of unknown origin is present. - CORRECT 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. - CORRECT ANSWER - True
NCC EFM CERTIFICATION EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026\2027
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 - CORRECT 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. -
CORRECT 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
,2 | Page
d. No change - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT ANSWER - b. Decreases
baseline
T/F: Oxygen exchange in the placenta takes place in the
intervillous space. - CORRECT ANSWER - True
T/F: The parasympathetic nervous system is a
cardioaccelerator. - CORRECT ANSWER - False
,3 | Page
T/F: Baroreceptors are stretch receptors which respond to
increases or decreases in blood pressure. - CORRECT
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. - CORRECT ANSWER - True
T/F: Variability can be determined with the fetoscope. -
CORRECT 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. - CORRECT ANSWER - False
T/F: The most common artifact with the ultrasound transducer
system for fetal heart rate is increased variability. - CORRECT
ANSWER - True
T/F: All fetal monitors contain a logic system designed to reject
artifact. - CORRECT ANSWER - True
, 4 | Page
T/F: The monitor should always be tested before starting a
tracing, either external or internal mode and labeled a test. -
CORRECT ANSWER - True
T/F: The paper speed on the fetal monitor should always be set
at 1cm/min. - CORRECT ANSWER - False
T/F: Both internal and external monitoring methods are equally
accurate means of obtaining the fetal heart rate and contraction
patterns. - CORRECT ANSWER - False
T/F: The external toco is usually placed over the uterine fundus
to pick up contractions. - CORRECT ANSWER - True
T/F: The external toco gives measurable uterine pressure. -
CORRECT ANSWER - False
T/F: The fetal spiral electrode can be placed when vaginal
bleeding of unknown origin is present. - CORRECT 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. - CORRECT ANSWER - True
