NCC EFM Exam Questions and Answers
(2026/2027) | Question Bank | Verified
Solutions | A+
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 -✓✓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. -✓✓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
d. No change -✓✓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 -✓✓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 -✓✓b. Decreases baseline
T/F: Oxygen exchange in the placenta takes place in the intervillous space.
-✓✓True
T/F: The parasympathetic nervous system is a cardioaccelerator. -
✓✓False
T/F: Baroreceptors are stretch receptors which respond to increases or
decreases in blood pressure. -✓✓True
T/F: There are two electronic fetal monitoring methods of obtaining the fetal
heart rate: the ultrasound transducer and the fetal spiral electrode. -
✓✓True
T/F: Variability can be determined with the fetoscope. -✓✓False
T/F: Because the ultrasound transducer and toco transducer are sealed
units, they can be dipped in warm water to make cleaning easier. -
✓✓False
T/F: The most common artifact with the ultrasound transducer system for
fetal heart rate is increased variability. -✓✓True
T/F: All fetal monitors contain a logic system designed to reject artifact. -
✓✓True
T/F: The monitor should always be tested before starting a tracing, either
external or internal mode and labeled a test. -✓✓True
T/F: The paper speed on the fetal monitor should always be set at
1cm/min. -✓✓False
T/F: Both internal and external monitoring methods are equally accurate
means of obtaining the fetal heart rate and contraction patterns. -✓✓False
,T/F: The external toco is usually placed over the uterine fundus to pick up
contractions. -✓✓True
T/F: The external toco gives measurable uterine pressure. -✓✓False
T/F: The fetal spiral electrode can be placed when vaginal bleeding of
unknown origin is present. -✓✓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. -✓✓True
T/F: The spiral electrode is used to more accurately determine the
frequency, duration, and intensity of uterine contractions. -✓✓False
T/F: The heart rate from a well-applied fetal spiral electrode can only be
fetal, not maternal. -✓✓False
T/F: The intrauterine catheter is used to pick up the fetal heart rate. -
✓✓False
T/F: The internal spiral electrode may pick up the maternal heart rate if the
baby has died. -✓✓True
T/F: Fetal arrhythmias can be seen on both internal and external monitor
tracings. -✓✓True
T/F: Variability and periodic changes can be detected with both internal and
external monitoring. -✓✓True
T/F: Variable decelerations are a result of cord compression. -✓✓True
T/F: The presence of FHR accelerations in the intrapartum and antepartum
periods is a sign of adequate fetal oxygenation. -✓✓True
T/F: Variable decelerations are a vagal response. -✓✓True
, T/F: Late decelerations have a gradual decrease in FHR (onset to nadir 30
seconds) and are delayed in timing with the nadir of the deceleration
occurring after the peak of the contraction. -✓✓True
T/F: The fetal heart rate baseline can be determined during periods of
marked variability. -✓✓False
T/F: Anything that affects maternal blood flow (cardiac output) can affect
the blood flow through the placenta. -✓✓True
T/F: Variable decelerations are the most frequently seen fetal heart rate
deceleration pattern in labor. -✓✓True
T/F: Minimal variability is always an indicator of hypoxia and a Cesarean
section is indicated. -✓✓False
What is your first intervention in management of a patient experiencing
variable decelerations?
a. Immediate delivery
b. Change maternal position
c. No treatment indicated
d. Oxygen
e. Stop oxytocin infusion -✓✓b. Change maternal position
Etiology of a baseline FHR of 165bpm occurring for the last hour can be:
1. Maternal supine hypotension
2. Maternal fever
3. Maternal dehydration
4. Unknown
a. 1 and 2
b. 1, 2 and 3
c. 2, 3 and 4 -✓✓c. 2, 3 and 4
What is the most probable cause of recurrent late decelerations?
a. Utero-placental insufficiency
b. Head compression
c. Cord compression
d. Maternal position change -✓✓a. Utero-placental insufficiency
(2026/2027) | Question Bank | Verified
Solutions | A+
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 -✓✓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. -✓✓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
d. No change -✓✓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 -✓✓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 -✓✓b. Decreases baseline
T/F: Oxygen exchange in the placenta takes place in the intervillous space.
-✓✓True
T/F: The parasympathetic nervous system is a cardioaccelerator. -
✓✓False
T/F: Baroreceptors are stretch receptors which respond to increases or
decreases in blood pressure. -✓✓True
T/F: There are two electronic fetal monitoring methods of obtaining the fetal
heart rate: the ultrasound transducer and the fetal spiral electrode. -
✓✓True
T/F: Variability can be determined with the fetoscope. -✓✓False
T/F: Because the ultrasound transducer and toco transducer are sealed
units, they can be dipped in warm water to make cleaning easier. -
✓✓False
T/F: The most common artifact with the ultrasound transducer system for
fetal heart rate is increased variability. -✓✓True
T/F: All fetal monitors contain a logic system designed to reject artifact. -
✓✓True
T/F: The monitor should always be tested before starting a tracing, either
external or internal mode and labeled a test. -✓✓True
T/F: The paper speed on the fetal monitor should always be set at
1cm/min. -✓✓False
T/F: Both internal and external monitoring methods are equally accurate
means of obtaining the fetal heart rate and contraction patterns. -✓✓False
,T/F: The external toco is usually placed over the uterine fundus to pick up
contractions. -✓✓True
T/F: The external toco gives measurable uterine pressure. -✓✓False
T/F: The fetal spiral electrode can be placed when vaginal bleeding of
unknown origin is present. -✓✓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. -✓✓True
T/F: The spiral electrode is used to more accurately determine the
frequency, duration, and intensity of uterine contractions. -✓✓False
T/F: The heart rate from a well-applied fetal spiral electrode can only be
fetal, not maternal. -✓✓False
T/F: The intrauterine catheter is used to pick up the fetal heart rate. -
✓✓False
T/F: The internal spiral electrode may pick up the maternal heart rate if the
baby has died. -✓✓True
T/F: Fetal arrhythmias can be seen on both internal and external monitor
tracings. -✓✓True
T/F: Variability and periodic changes can be detected with both internal and
external monitoring. -✓✓True
T/F: Variable decelerations are a result of cord compression. -✓✓True
T/F: The presence of FHR accelerations in the intrapartum and antepartum
periods is a sign of adequate fetal oxygenation. -✓✓True
T/F: Variable decelerations are a vagal response. -✓✓True
, T/F: Late decelerations have a gradual decrease in FHR (onset to nadir 30
seconds) and are delayed in timing with the nadir of the deceleration
occurring after the peak of the contraction. -✓✓True
T/F: The fetal heart rate baseline can be determined during periods of
marked variability. -✓✓False
T/F: Anything that affects maternal blood flow (cardiac output) can affect
the blood flow through the placenta. -✓✓True
T/F: Variable decelerations are the most frequently seen fetal heart rate
deceleration pattern in labor. -✓✓True
T/F: Minimal variability is always an indicator of hypoxia and a Cesarean
section is indicated. -✓✓False
What is your first intervention in management of a patient experiencing
variable decelerations?
a. Immediate delivery
b. Change maternal position
c. No treatment indicated
d. Oxygen
e. Stop oxytocin infusion -✓✓b. Change maternal position
Etiology of a baseline FHR of 165bpm occurring for the last hour can be:
1. Maternal supine hypotension
2. Maternal fever
3. Maternal dehydration
4. Unknown
a. 1 and 2
b. 1, 2 and 3
c. 2, 3 and 4 -✓✓c. 2, 3 and 4
What is the most probable cause of recurrent late decelerations?
a. Utero-placental insufficiency
b. Head compression
c. Cord compression
d. Maternal position change -✓✓a. Utero-placental insufficiency
