NCC Electronic Fetal Monitoring Certification Study Guide & Practice Questions

NCC Electronic Fetal Monitoring Certification
_____ are abnormal FHR rhythms associated with disordered impulse formation, conduction, or
both.
A. Arrhythmias
B. Supraventricular tachycardias
C. Dysrhythmias - ANS-C. Dysrhythmias

_____ are patterns of abnormal FHR associated with variability in R-to-R intervals, but with
normal P-waves preceding normal QRS complexes.
A. Arrhythmias
B. Complete heart blocks
C. Dysrhythmias - ANS-A. Arrhythmias

_____ cord blood sampling is predictive of uteroplacental function.
A. Arterial
B. Venous
C. Maternal - ANS-B. Venous

_____ denotes the ability of cardiac cells to conduct electrical impulses from one cell to another.
A. Automaticity
B. Excitability
C. Conductivity - ANS-C. Conductivity

_____ denotes the readiness of cardiac cells to receive and respond to electrical stimuli.
A. Automaticity
B. Excitability
C. Conductivity - ANS-B. Excitability

_____ denotes the spontaneous, rhythmic depolarization of cardiac cells.
A. Automaticity
B. Excitability
C. Conductivity - ANS-A. Automaticity

_______ _______ occurs when the HCO3 concentration is higher than normal.
A. Base deficit
B. Base excess
C. Metabolic acidosis - ANS-B. Base excess

_______ _______ occurs when the HCO3 concentration is lower than normal.
A. Base deficit
B. Base excess

,C. Metabolic acidosis - ANS-A. Base deficit

_______ _______ occurs when there is high PCO2 with normal bicarbonate levels.
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis - ANS-B. Respiratory acidosis

_______ _______ occurs when there is low bicarbonate (base excess) in the presence of
normal pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) values.
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis - ANS-A. Metabolic acidosis

_______ are protective stretch receptors located in the aortic arch and the carotid sinuses at the
bifurcation of the external and internal carotid arteries.
A. Baroreceptors
B. Chemoreceptors
C. Arteries - ANS-A. Baroreceptors

_______ decelerations occur with greater than or equal to 50% of contractions.
A. Recurrent
B. Intermittent
C. Repetitive - ANS-A. Recurrent

_______ decelerations occur with less than 50% of contractions.
A. Recurrent
B. Intermittent
C. Repetitive - ANS-B. Intermittent

_______ denotes a decrease in oxygen content of the fetal blood.
A. Hypercapnia
B. Hypoxia
C. Hypoxemia - ANS-C. Hypoxemia

_______ denotes a decrease in oxygenation of the fetal tissues.
A. Hypercapnia
B. Hypoxia
C. Hypoxemia - ANS-B. Hypoxia

_______ denotes an increase in carbon dioxide in the fetal blood.
A. Hypercapnia
B. Hypoxia
C. Hypoxemia - ANS-A. Hypercapnia

,_______ denotes an increase in hydrogen ions in the fetal blood.
A. Acidosis
B. Acidemia
C. Hypercapnia - ANS-B. Acidemia

_______ denotes an increase in hydrogen ions in the fetal tissues.
A. Acidosis
B. Acidemia
C. Hypercapnia - ANS-A. Acidosis

_______ FHR patterns are those associated with uterine contractions.
A. Periodic
B. Episodic
C. Recurrent
D. Irregular - ANS-A. Periodic

_______ FHR patterns are those that are not associated with uterine contractions.
A. Periodic
B. Episodic
C. Recurrent
D. Irregular - ANS-B. Episodic

_______ is defined as the energy-consuming process of metabolism. - ANS-Anabolism

_______ is defined as the energy-releasing process of metabolism. - ANS-Catabolism

_______ primarily function(s) to regulate respiratory activity and control circulation by
responding to changes in arterial PO2, PCO2, and acid-base balance.
A. Baroreceptors
B. Chemoreceptors
C. Cardioregulatory center - ANS-B. Chemoreceptors

_______ represents increased sympathetic or decreased parasympathetic autonomic tone.
A. Bradycardia
B. Tachycardia - ANS-B. Tachycardia

_______ respond to increases in fetal arterial blood pressure by detecting the amount of stretch
and sending impulses via the vagus nerve to the midbrain, decreasing FHR, CO, and BP.
A. Baroreceptors
B. Chemoreceptors
C. Veins - ANS-A. Baroreceptors

_______ variability warrants cesarean section delivery.
A. Minimal

, B. Moderate
C. Marked
D. Absent - ANS-D. Absent

(T/F) An internal scalp electrode can solely diagnose a fetal dysrhythmia. - ANS-False

(T/F) An internal scalp electrode will detect the actual fetal ECG. - ANS-True

(T/F) Contractions during a contraction stress test (CST) may be spontaneous or induced with
oxytocin or nipple stimulation. - ANS-True

(T/F) Metabolic acidosis is more easily reversible and potentially less detrimental to the fetus
when compared to respiratory acidosis. - ANS-False

(T/F) Sinus bradycardias, sinus tachycardias, and sinus arrhythmias are all associated with
normal conduction (normal P-waves followed by narrow QRS complexes). - ANS-True

(T/F) The baseline can be established in a fetal heart rate tracing in which there is marked
variability. - ANS-False

(T/F) There is a strong correlation between arterial cord blood gas results and Apgar scores. -
ANS-False

(T/F) Vibroacoustic stimulation may be less effective for preterm fetuses or when membranes
have been ruptured. - ANS-True

A 35 week gestation fetus is having an NST. The fetal heart rate baseline is 130 bpm. The nurse
is using vibroacoustic stimulation to reduce the length of time needed to obtain the NST. Fetal
well-being requires
A. 1 acceleration to 145 bpm
B. 2 accelerations to 140 bpm
C. 2 accelerations to at least 145 bpm - ANS-C. 2 accelerations to at least 145 bpm

A 36 week gestation patient is brought to triage by squad after an MVA on her back. She is not
bleeding and denies pain. She is not short of breath, but c/o dizziness and nausea since they
put her on the gurney. The most likely cause is
A. Abruptio placenta
B. Preterm labor
C. Supine hypotension - ANS-C. Supine hypotension

A 42 week gestation woman has been diagnosed with oligohydramnios. Based on this, a FHR
change that can be expected is
A. Late deceleration
B. Minimal variability