AWHONN Advanced Fetal Monitoring Exam
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale 2027 Q&A| Instant
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1. Which feature most strongly distinguishes a Category I fetal heart
rate tracing?
A. Minimal variability with recurrent late decelerations
B. Absent variability with recurrent variable decelerations
C. Baseline 110–160 bpm, moderate variability, and no late or variable
decelerations
D. Tachycardia with absent variability
Rationale: A Category I tracing is strongly reassuring and includes a
baseline of 110–160 bpm, moderate baseline variability, absent late
and variable decelerations, and either present or absent early
decelerations. These findings are associated with a low likelihood of
current fetal acidemia.
,2. A fetus has a baseline heart rate of 170 bpm for 15 minutes. How
should this finding be classified?
A. Normal baseline
B. Bradycardia
C. Tachycardia
D. Sinusoidal pattern
Rationale: Fetal tachycardia is defined as a baseline heart rate greater
than 160 bpm for at least 10 minutes. Maternal fever, infection,
medications, fetal hypoxia, and other conditions may contribute to
tachycardia.
3. Which baseline variability is considered the most reassuring in a
term fetus?
A. Absent
B. Minimal
C. Marked
D. Moderate
Rationale: Moderate variability reflects normal interaction between
the fetal autonomic nervous system and cardiac control mechanisms.
,It is one of the most important reassuring features of fetal
oxygenation and neurologic status.
4. Which finding defines absent baseline variability?
A. Amplitude range of 6–25 bpm
B. Amplitude range greater than 25 bpm
C. Amplitude range of 1–5 bpm
D. Amplitude range that is undetectable
Rationale: Absent variability means there is no detectable fluctuation
in the fetal heart rate around the baseline. When persistent, especially
when associated with recurrent decelerations or bradycardia, it can
indicate significant fetal compromise.
5. A fetal heart rate tracing shows abrupt decreases of 20–30 bpm
with varying onset, duration, and recovery. Which type of
deceleration is most likely?
A. Early deceleration
B. Late deceleration
C. Prolonged deceleration
D. Variable deceleration
, Rationale: Variable decelerations are typically abrupt decreases in
fetal heart rate associated with umbilical cord compression. Their
shape, timing, and duration may vary from one contraction to
another.
6. Early decelerations are most commonly associated with which
physiologic event?
A. Uteroplacental insufficiency
B. Umbilical cord compression
C. Fetal head compression
D. Maternal hypotension
Rationale: Early decelerations generally mirror uterine contractions
and result from fetal head compression, which produces a vagal
response. They are usually considered benign when occurring with
otherwise reassuring fetal heart rate characteristics.
7. Late decelerations are most concerning because they may indicate:
A. Fetal head compression
B. Umbilical cord compression
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale 2027 Q&A| Instant
Download Pdf
1. Which feature most strongly distinguishes a Category I fetal heart
rate tracing?
A. Minimal variability with recurrent late decelerations
B. Absent variability with recurrent variable decelerations
C. Baseline 110–160 bpm, moderate variability, and no late or variable
decelerations
D. Tachycardia with absent variability
Rationale: A Category I tracing is strongly reassuring and includes a
baseline of 110–160 bpm, moderate baseline variability, absent late
and variable decelerations, and either present or absent early
decelerations. These findings are associated with a low likelihood of
current fetal acidemia.
,2. A fetus has a baseline heart rate of 170 bpm for 15 minutes. How
should this finding be classified?
A. Normal baseline
B. Bradycardia
C. Tachycardia
D. Sinusoidal pattern
Rationale: Fetal tachycardia is defined as a baseline heart rate greater
than 160 bpm for at least 10 minutes. Maternal fever, infection,
medications, fetal hypoxia, and other conditions may contribute to
tachycardia.
3. Which baseline variability is considered the most reassuring in a
term fetus?
A. Absent
B. Minimal
C. Marked
D. Moderate
Rationale: Moderate variability reflects normal interaction between
the fetal autonomic nervous system and cardiac control mechanisms.
,It is one of the most important reassuring features of fetal
oxygenation and neurologic status.
4. Which finding defines absent baseline variability?
A. Amplitude range of 6–25 bpm
B. Amplitude range greater than 25 bpm
C. Amplitude range of 1–5 bpm
D. Amplitude range that is undetectable
Rationale: Absent variability means there is no detectable fluctuation
in the fetal heart rate around the baseline. When persistent, especially
when associated with recurrent decelerations or bradycardia, it can
indicate significant fetal compromise.
5. A fetal heart rate tracing shows abrupt decreases of 20–30 bpm
with varying onset, duration, and recovery. Which type of
deceleration is most likely?
A. Early deceleration
B. Late deceleration
C. Prolonged deceleration
D. Variable deceleration
, Rationale: Variable decelerations are typically abrupt decreases in
fetal heart rate associated with umbilical cord compression. Their
shape, timing, and duration may vary from one contraction to
another.
6. Early decelerations are most commonly associated with which
physiologic event?
A. Uteroplacental insufficiency
B. Umbilical cord compression
C. Fetal head compression
D. Maternal hypotension
Rationale: Early decelerations generally mirror uterine contractions
and result from fetal head compression, which produces a vagal
response. They are usually considered benign when occurring with
otherwise reassuring fetal heart rate characteristics.
7. Late decelerations are most concerning because they may indicate:
A. Fetal head compression
B. Umbilical cord compression
