AWHONN Intermediate Fetal Monitoring
Test Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2027
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A laboring patient has a Category I fetal heart rate (FHR) tracing.
Which finding best describes this category?
A. Absent variability with recurrent late decelerations
B. Minimal variability with variable decelerations
C. Baseline 110–160 bpm, moderate variability, and no late or variable
decelerations
D. Sinusoidal pattern
Rationale: Category I tracings are considered normal and strongly
predictive of normal fetal acid-base status. They include a baseline FHR
of 110–160 bpm, moderate variability, and the absence of recurrent late
or variable decelerations. Accelerations and early decelerations may or
may not be present. The other options describe abnormal or
indeterminate findings requiring further evaluation.
, 2. Moderate fetal heart rate variability is defined as:
A. Undetectable fluctuations
B. Fluctuations of 1–5 bpm
C. Fluctuations of 6–25 bpm
D. Fluctuations greater than 30 bpm
Rationale: Moderate variability consists of amplitude fluctuations
between 6 and 25 beats per minute. It reflects an intact central nervous
system and adequate fetal oxygenation. Absent or minimal variability
may indicate fetal compromise or sleep cycles, while variability greater
than 25 bpm is considered marked.
3. Which fetal heart rate baseline is considered normal?
A. 90 bpm
B. 105 bpm
C. 145 bpm
D. 170 bpm
Rationale: A normal fetal baseline ranges from 110 to 160 bpm. A
baseline of 145 bpm falls within this range. Values below 110 bpm
,indicate bradycardia, while values above 160 bpm indicate tachycardia
if sustained for at least 10 minutes.
4. Early decelerations are most commonly caused by:
A. Umbilical cord compression
B. Fetal head compression
C. Uteroplacental insufficiency
D. Maternal hypotension
Rationale: Early decelerations occur due to fetal head compression
during contractions, stimulating the vagus nerve and temporarily
slowing the fetal heart rate. They are considered a normal physiologic
response during labor and generally require no intervention.
5. Variable decelerations are primarily associated with:
A. Placental abruption
B. Maternal fever
C. Umbilical cord compression
D. Fetal sleep cycle
Rationale: Variable decelerations result from intermittent umbilical cord
compression, causing abrupt decreases in fetal heart rate. Management
, may include maternal repositioning, reducing uterine activity,
amnioinfusion when appropriate, and continued assessment depending
on severity.
6. Late decelerations most commonly indicate:
A. Head compression
B. Cord compression
C. Uteroplacental insufficiency
D. Maternal anxiety
Rationale: Late decelerations begin after the contraction starts and
recover after it ends, indicating impaired oxygen transfer across the
placenta. Persistent late decelerations warrant prompt evaluation and
intrauterine resuscitation because they may signify fetal hypoxia.
7. Which intervention is appropriate for recurrent late decelerations?
A. Increase oxytocin infusion
B. Reposition the patient to improve uteroplacental blood flow
C. Encourage pushing
D. Place the patient supine
Test Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2027
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A laboring patient has a Category I fetal heart rate (FHR) tracing.
Which finding best describes this category?
A. Absent variability with recurrent late decelerations
B. Minimal variability with variable decelerations
C. Baseline 110–160 bpm, moderate variability, and no late or variable
decelerations
D. Sinusoidal pattern
Rationale: Category I tracings are considered normal and strongly
predictive of normal fetal acid-base status. They include a baseline FHR
of 110–160 bpm, moderate variability, and the absence of recurrent late
or variable decelerations. Accelerations and early decelerations may or
may not be present. The other options describe abnormal or
indeterminate findings requiring further evaluation.
, 2. Moderate fetal heart rate variability is defined as:
A. Undetectable fluctuations
B. Fluctuations of 1–5 bpm
C. Fluctuations of 6–25 bpm
D. Fluctuations greater than 30 bpm
Rationale: Moderate variability consists of amplitude fluctuations
between 6 and 25 beats per minute. It reflects an intact central nervous
system and adequate fetal oxygenation. Absent or minimal variability
may indicate fetal compromise or sleep cycles, while variability greater
than 25 bpm is considered marked.
3. Which fetal heart rate baseline is considered normal?
A. 90 bpm
B. 105 bpm
C. 145 bpm
D. 170 bpm
Rationale: A normal fetal baseline ranges from 110 to 160 bpm. A
baseline of 145 bpm falls within this range. Values below 110 bpm
,indicate bradycardia, while values above 160 bpm indicate tachycardia
if sustained for at least 10 minutes.
4. Early decelerations are most commonly caused by:
A. Umbilical cord compression
B. Fetal head compression
C. Uteroplacental insufficiency
D. Maternal hypotension
Rationale: Early decelerations occur due to fetal head compression
during contractions, stimulating the vagus nerve and temporarily
slowing the fetal heart rate. They are considered a normal physiologic
response during labor and generally require no intervention.
5. Variable decelerations are primarily associated with:
A. Placental abruption
B. Maternal fever
C. Umbilical cord compression
D. Fetal sleep cycle
Rationale: Variable decelerations result from intermittent umbilical cord
compression, causing abrupt decreases in fetal heart rate. Management
, may include maternal repositioning, reducing uterine activity,
amnioinfusion when appropriate, and continued assessment depending
on severity.
6. Late decelerations most commonly indicate:
A. Head compression
B. Cord compression
C. Uteroplacental insufficiency
D. Maternal anxiety
Rationale: Late decelerations begin after the contraction starts and
recover after it ends, indicating impaired oxygen transfer across the
placenta. Persistent late decelerations warrant prompt evaluation and
intrauterine resuscitation because they may signify fetal hypoxia.
7. Which intervention is appropriate for recurrent late decelerations?
A. Increase oxytocin infusion
B. Reposition the patient to improve uteroplacental blood flow
C. Encourage pushing
D. Place the patient supine
