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AWHONN ADVANCED FETAL MONITORING EXAM NEWEST 2025/2026
ACTUAL EXAM WITH COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS (100% VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY
GRADED A+| ||PROFESSOR VERIFIED||
What is a Montevideo unit (MVU)?
How do you calculate MVU's? - ANSWER-MVU's quantify uterine
activity over 10 min period, requires the use of an IUPC.
Minus the resting tone from the peak intensity of each contraction
in a 10 min period and add the values together.
At least 200 MVU's results in progressive cervical change.
How do you palpate a contraction?
Describe the intensities. - ANSWER-Using your fingertips at the
fundus you can assess duration and frequency.
Intensity: nose= mild
chin=moderate
forehead=strong
Explain what a Tocodynamometer is, what it measures and its
limitations. - ANSWER-Monitors changes in the contour of the
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maternal abdomen caused by uterine contractions, is placed over
the fundus. Can measure relative changes in pressure, duration
and frequency of contractions. Can NOT measure intensity.
Women with large amounts of abdominal adipose tissue can be
difficult to monitor.
Explain what an intrauterine pressure catheter is, what it
measures and its limitations. - ANSWER-Most accurate method of
assessing uterine contractions. Inserted through dilated cervix, its
sensor tip monitors changes in pressure of the amniotic fluid.
Measures resting tone, duration, frequency and intensity of
contractions. Can NOT be used unless membranes are ruptured.
How do you determine fetal oxygenation?
Name the 5 characteristics - ANSWER-Fetal heart rate patterns
5 characteristics
1 Baseline heart rate
2 Rhythm
3 FHR variability
4 Presence of accelerations
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5 Periodic or episodic deceleration's
What are fetal baseline guidelines?
Range?
<32 weeks gest
>32 weeks gest
change in baseline - ANSWER-Must be 2 min of segments.
Range 110-160 BPM (represented in a multiple of 5)
<32 weeks is usually high normal
>32 weeks gradual decrease due to increased vagal tone.
Change in baseline is >10min.
What is the SA Node? - ANSWER-It is the heart's internal
pacemaker. It is specialized clump of cells at the top of the right
atrium that gives electrical impulses to cause the heart to beat.
The intrinsic rate is 110-160 in term fetus. Early in gestation (15-
20 wks) can be much higher. In 26-28 weeks may be in the upper
range of normal.
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Explain the sympathetic impulses of the fetal central nervous
system. - ANSWER-Generated in the fetal brainstem carried via
sympathetic fibers to the heart. Increases FHR, strength of
myocardial contraction of the heart and fetal cardiac output.
Sympathetic stimulation influences FHR variability. The
sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system is present
very early in fetal development.
Explain the parasympathetic impulses of the fetal central nervous
system. - ANSWER-Generated in the fetal brainstem carried via
the vagus nerve to the fetal heart. Stimulates vagus nerve which
increases fetal blood pressure, decreases firing rate at SA node
and decreases FHR. Also influences the presence of fetal heart
variability. The parasympathetic nervous system matures later in
pregnancy. This balances out the sympathetic branch, the
baseline heart rate gradually decreases toward the middle of the
normal range.
Is the baseline in this fetal tracing of a fetus at 40 weeks gestation
normal or abnormal? - ANSWER-Baseline FHR is 130 BPM which
falls within the range of normal baselines 110-160 BPM
AWHONN ADVANCED FETAL MONITORING EXAM NEWEST 2025/2026
ACTUAL EXAM WITH COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS (100% VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY
GRADED A+| ||PROFESSOR VERIFIED||
What is a Montevideo unit (MVU)?
How do you calculate MVU's? - ANSWER-MVU's quantify uterine
activity over 10 min period, requires the use of an IUPC.
Minus the resting tone from the peak intensity of each contraction
in a 10 min period and add the values together.
At least 200 MVU's results in progressive cervical change.
How do you palpate a contraction?
Describe the intensities. - ANSWER-Using your fingertips at the
fundus you can assess duration and frequency.
Intensity: nose= mild
chin=moderate
forehead=strong
Explain what a Tocodynamometer is, what it measures and its
limitations. - ANSWER-Monitors changes in the contour of the
,2|Page
maternal abdomen caused by uterine contractions, is placed over
the fundus. Can measure relative changes in pressure, duration
and frequency of contractions. Can NOT measure intensity.
Women with large amounts of abdominal adipose tissue can be
difficult to monitor.
Explain what an intrauterine pressure catheter is, what it
measures and its limitations. - ANSWER-Most accurate method of
assessing uterine contractions. Inserted through dilated cervix, its
sensor tip monitors changes in pressure of the amniotic fluid.
Measures resting tone, duration, frequency and intensity of
contractions. Can NOT be used unless membranes are ruptured.
How do you determine fetal oxygenation?
Name the 5 characteristics - ANSWER-Fetal heart rate patterns
5 characteristics
1 Baseline heart rate
2 Rhythm
3 FHR variability
4 Presence of accelerations
,3|Page
5 Periodic or episodic deceleration's
What are fetal baseline guidelines?
Range?
<32 weeks gest
>32 weeks gest
change in baseline - ANSWER-Must be 2 min of segments.
Range 110-160 BPM (represented in a multiple of 5)
<32 weeks is usually high normal
>32 weeks gradual decrease due to increased vagal tone.
Change in baseline is >10min.
What is the SA Node? - ANSWER-It is the heart's internal
pacemaker. It is specialized clump of cells at the top of the right
atrium that gives electrical impulses to cause the heart to beat.
The intrinsic rate is 110-160 in term fetus. Early in gestation (15-
20 wks) can be much higher. In 26-28 weeks may be in the upper
range of normal.
, 4|Page
Explain the sympathetic impulses of the fetal central nervous
system. - ANSWER-Generated in the fetal brainstem carried via
sympathetic fibers to the heart. Increases FHR, strength of
myocardial contraction of the heart and fetal cardiac output.
Sympathetic stimulation influences FHR variability. The
sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system is present
very early in fetal development.
Explain the parasympathetic impulses of the fetal central nervous
system. - ANSWER-Generated in the fetal brainstem carried via
the vagus nerve to the fetal heart. Stimulates vagus nerve which
increases fetal blood pressure, decreases firing rate at SA node
and decreases FHR. Also influences the presence of fetal heart
variability. The parasympathetic nervous system matures later in
pregnancy. This balances out the sympathetic branch, the
baseline heart rate gradually decreases toward the middle of the
normal range.
Is the baseline in this fetal tracing of a fetus at 40 weeks gestation
normal or abnormal? - ANSWER-Baseline FHR is 130 BPM which
falls within the range of normal baselines 110-160 BPM
