ESTUDYR
AWHONN INTERMEDIATE FETAL MONITORING TEST
2025 MULTICHOICE ANSWERED EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
1. Which is an extrinsic influence on fetal heart rate (FHR)?
A) Fetal CNS
B) Fetal adrenal glands
C) Fetal-placental circulation
D) Fetal baroreceptors
Answer: C) Fetal-placental circulation
Rationale: The fetal-placental circulation is an extrinsic factor affecting FHR, while the others are
intrinsic fetal mechanisms.
2. The most oxygenated blood in fetal circulation is found in:
A) Umbilical arteries
B) Inferior vena cava
C) Ductus venosus
D) Right atrium
Answer: C) Ductus venosus
Rationale: The ductus venosus carries highly oxygenated blood from the umbilical vein to the fetal
heart.
3. When fetal arterial pressure drops, the response is:
A) Baroreceptor-mediated vasoconstriction and increased FHR
B) Chemoreceptor-mediated bradycardia
C) Decreased cardiac output
D) Increased stroke volume
Answer: A) Baroreceptor-mediated vasoconstriction and increased FHR
Rationale: Baroreceptors detect pressure changes and trigger compensatory mechanisms.
4. FHR variability refers to irregular fluctuations in:
A) Duration and timing
B) Amplitude and frequency
C) Shape and pattern
D) Onset and recovery
,ESTUDYR
Answer: B) Amplitude and frequency
Rationale: Variability is defined by changes in the magnitude (amplitude) and number (frequency) of
fluctuations.
5. The initial FHR acceleration before a variable deceleration results from:
A) Umbilical vein occlusion
B) Head compression
C) Uteroplacental insufficiency
D) Fetal hypoxia
Answer: A) Umbilical vein occlusion
Rationale: Early venous occlusion causes a reflexive increase in FHR before arterial compression causes
deceleration.
6. The first step in FHR tracing interpretation is:
A) Identifying decelerations
B) Assessing variability
C) Establishing the baseline rate
D) Evaluating periodic changes
Answer: C) Establishing the baseline rate
Rationale: Proper interpretation begins with determining the baseline before analyzing other
characteristics.
7. Which deceleration is considered benign?
A) Early deceleration
B) Variable deceleration
C) Late deceleration
D) Prolonged deceleration
Answer: A) Early deceleration
Rationale: Early decelerations are head-compression related and considered physiologic.
8. Isolated umbilical vein occlusion primarily affects:
A) Fetal CO2 elimination
B) Oxygenated blood delivery
C) Waste product removal
D) Maternal blood pressure
Answer: B) Oxygenated blood delivery
Rationale: The umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood to the fetus.
, ESTUDYR
9. During fetal sleep cycles, FHR variability is typically:
A) Absent
B) Marked
C) Minimal
D) Sinusoidal
Answer: C) Minimal
Rationale: Normal decreased variability occurs during quiet sleep states.
10. Uterine tachysystole is defined as:
A) <3 contractions/10 minutes
B) >5 contractions/10 minutes over 30 minutes
C) Contractions lasting >90 seconds
D) Contractions with intensity >100 mmHg
Answer: B) >5 contractions/10 minutes over 30 minutes
Rationale: This is the standard definition of excessive uterine activity.
11. Maternal-fetal exchange occurs in the:
A) Chorionic plate
B) Intervillous space
C) Myometrium
D) Amniotic cavity
Answer: B) Intervillous space
Rationale: This is where maternal and fetal circulations interface in the placenta.
12. A tocodynamometer measures:
A) Uterine muscle tension
B) Fetal oxygen saturation
C) Intra-amniotic pressure
D) Umbilical blood flow
Answer: A) Uterine muscle tension
Rationale: It detects the firmness of the uterus during contractions.
13. Normal FHR baseline range is:
A) 90-150 bpm
B) 100-170 bpm
C) 110-160 bpm
D) 120-180 bpm
AWHONN INTERMEDIATE FETAL MONITORING TEST
2025 MULTICHOICE ANSWERED EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
1. Which is an extrinsic influence on fetal heart rate (FHR)?
A) Fetal CNS
B) Fetal adrenal glands
C) Fetal-placental circulation
D) Fetal baroreceptors
Answer: C) Fetal-placental circulation
Rationale: The fetal-placental circulation is an extrinsic factor affecting FHR, while the others are
intrinsic fetal mechanisms.
2. The most oxygenated blood in fetal circulation is found in:
A) Umbilical arteries
B) Inferior vena cava
C) Ductus venosus
D) Right atrium
Answer: C) Ductus venosus
Rationale: The ductus venosus carries highly oxygenated blood from the umbilical vein to the fetal
heart.
3. When fetal arterial pressure drops, the response is:
A) Baroreceptor-mediated vasoconstriction and increased FHR
B) Chemoreceptor-mediated bradycardia
C) Decreased cardiac output
D) Increased stroke volume
Answer: A) Baroreceptor-mediated vasoconstriction and increased FHR
Rationale: Baroreceptors detect pressure changes and trigger compensatory mechanisms.
4. FHR variability refers to irregular fluctuations in:
A) Duration and timing
B) Amplitude and frequency
C) Shape and pattern
D) Onset and recovery
,ESTUDYR
Answer: B) Amplitude and frequency
Rationale: Variability is defined by changes in the magnitude (amplitude) and number (frequency) of
fluctuations.
5. The initial FHR acceleration before a variable deceleration results from:
A) Umbilical vein occlusion
B) Head compression
C) Uteroplacental insufficiency
D) Fetal hypoxia
Answer: A) Umbilical vein occlusion
Rationale: Early venous occlusion causes a reflexive increase in FHR before arterial compression causes
deceleration.
6. The first step in FHR tracing interpretation is:
A) Identifying decelerations
B) Assessing variability
C) Establishing the baseline rate
D) Evaluating periodic changes
Answer: C) Establishing the baseline rate
Rationale: Proper interpretation begins with determining the baseline before analyzing other
characteristics.
7. Which deceleration is considered benign?
A) Early deceleration
B) Variable deceleration
C) Late deceleration
D) Prolonged deceleration
Answer: A) Early deceleration
Rationale: Early decelerations are head-compression related and considered physiologic.
8. Isolated umbilical vein occlusion primarily affects:
A) Fetal CO2 elimination
B) Oxygenated blood delivery
C) Waste product removal
D) Maternal blood pressure
Answer: B) Oxygenated blood delivery
Rationale: The umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood to the fetus.
, ESTUDYR
9. During fetal sleep cycles, FHR variability is typically:
A) Absent
B) Marked
C) Minimal
D) Sinusoidal
Answer: C) Minimal
Rationale: Normal decreased variability occurs during quiet sleep states.
10. Uterine tachysystole is defined as:
A) <3 contractions/10 minutes
B) >5 contractions/10 minutes over 30 minutes
C) Contractions lasting >90 seconds
D) Contractions with intensity >100 mmHg
Answer: B) >5 contractions/10 minutes over 30 minutes
Rationale: This is the standard definition of excessive uterine activity.
11. Maternal-fetal exchange occurs in the:
A) Chorionic plate
B) Intervillous space
C) Myometrium
D) Amniotic cavity
Answer: B) Intervillous space
Rationale: This is where maternal and fetal circulations interface in the placenta.
12. A tocodynamometer measures:
A) Uterine muscle tension
B) Fetal oxygen saturation
C) Intra-amniotic pressure
D) Umbilical blood flow
Answer: A) Uterine muscle tension
Rationale: It detects the firmness of the uterus during contractions.
13. Normal FHR baseline range is:
A) 90-150 bpm
B) 100-170 bpm
C) 110-160 bpm
D) 120-180 bpm
