NCC ELECTRONIC FETAL MONITORING
CERTIFICATION EXAM PREPARATION GUIDE
IN-DEPTH QUESTIONS WITH 100% CORRECT
VERIFIED ANSWERS (GRADED A+ 2026)
Which of the following factors can have a negative effect on uterine blood flow?
a. Hypertension
b. Epidural
c. Hemorrhage
d. Diabetes
e. All of the above ANSWER >> e. All of the above
How does the fetus compensate for decreased maternal circulating volume?
1
,a. Increases cardiac output by increasing stroke volume.
b. Increases cardiac output by increasing it's heart rate.
c. Increases cardiac output by increasing fetal movement. ANSWER >> b. Increases
cardiac output by increasing it's heart rate.
Stimulating the vagus nerve typically produces:
a. A decrease in the heart rate
b. An increase in the heart rate
c. An increase in stroke volume
d. No change ANSWER >> a. A decrease in the heart rate
What initially causes a chemoreceptor response?
a. Epidurals
b. Supine maternal position
c. Increased CO2 levels
d. Decreased O2 levels
e. A & C
2
,f. A & B
g. C & D ANSWER >> g. C & D
The vagus nerve begins maturation 26 to 28 weeks. Its dominance results in what effect
to the FHR baseline?
a. Increases baseline
b. Decreases baseline ANSWER >> b. Decreases baseline
T/F: Oxygen exchange in the placenta takes place in the intervillous space. ANSWER
>> True
T/F: The parasympathetic nervous system is a cardioaccelerator. ANSWER >> False
T/F: Baroreceptors are stretch receptors which respond to increases or decreases in
blood pressure. ANSWER >> True
T/F: There are two electronic fetal monitoring methods of obtaining the fetal heart rate:
the ultrasound transducer and the fetal spiral electrode. ANSWER >> True
T/F: Variability can be determined with the fetoscope. ANSWER >> False
T/F: Because the ultrasound transducer and toco transducer are sealed units, they can
be dipped in warm water to make cleaning easier. ANSWER >> False
T/F: The most common artifact with the ultrasound transducer system for fetal heart rate
is increased variability. ANSWER >> True
3
, T/F: All fetal monitors contain a logic system designed to reject artifact. ANSWER >>
True
T/F: The monitor should always be tested before starting a tracing, either external or
internal mode and labeled a test. ANSWER >> True
T/F: The paper speed on the fetal monitor should always be set at 1cm/min. ANSWER
>> False
T/F: Both internal and external monitoring methods are equally accurate means of
obtaining the fetal heart rate and contraction patterns. ANSWER >> False
T/F: The external toco is usually placed over the uterine fundus to pick up contractions.
ANSWER >> True
T/F: The external toco gives measurable uterine pressure. ANSWER >> False
T/F: The fetal spiral electrode can be placed when vaginal bleeding of unknown origin is
present. ANSWER >> False
T/F: The ultrasound transducer is usually placed on the side of the uterus over the
baby's back, as the fetal heart is heard best there. ANSWER >> True
T/F: The spiral electrode is used to more accurately determine the frequency, duration,
and intensity of uterine contractions. ANSWER >> False
T/F: The heart rate from a well-applied fetal spiral electrode can only be fetal, not
maternal. ANSWER >> False
T/F: The intrauterine catheter is used to pick up the fetal heart rate. ANSWER >> False
4
CERTIFICATION EXAM PREPARATION GUIDE
IN-DEPTH QUESTIONS WITH 100% CORRECT
VERIFIED ANSWERS (GRADED A+ 2026)
Which of the following factors can have a negative effect on uterine blood flow?
a. Hypertension
b. Epidural
c. Hemorrhage
d. Diabetes
e. All of the above ANSWER >> e. All of the above
How does the fetus compensate for decreased maternal circulating volume?
1
,a. Increases cardiac output by increasing stroke volume.
b. Increases cardiac output by increasing it's heart rate.
c. Increases cardiac output by increasing fetal movement. ANSWER >> b. Increases
cardiac output by increasing it's heart rate.
Stimulating the vagus nerve typically produces:
a. A decrease in the heart rate
b. An increase in the heart rate
c. An increase in stroke volume
d. No change ANSWER >> a. A decrease in the heart rate
What initially causes a chemoreceptor response?
a. Epidurals
b. Supine maternal position
c. Increased CO2 levels
d. Decreased O2 levels
e. A & C
2
,f. A & B
g. C & D ANSWER >> g. C & D
The vagus nerve begins maturation 26 to 28 weeks. Its dominance results in what effect
to the FHR baseline?
a. Increases baseline
b. Decreases baseline ANSWER >> b. Decreases baseline
T/F: Oxygen exchange in the placenta takes place in the intervillous space. ANSWER
>> True
T/F: The parasympathetic nervous system is a cardioaccelerator. ANSWER >> False
T/F: Baroreceptors are stretch receptors which respond to increases or decreases in
blood pressure. ANSWER >> True
T/F: There are two electronic fetal monitoring methods of obtaining the fetal heart rate:
the ultrasound transducer and the fetal spiral electrode. ANSWER >> True
T/F: Variability can be determined with the fetoscope. ANSWER >> False
T/F: Because the ultrasound transducer and toco transducer are sealed units, they can
be dipped in warm water to make cleaning easier. ANSWER >> False
T/F: The most common artifact with the ultrasound transducer system for fetal heart rate
is increased variability. ANSWER >> True
3
, T/F: All fetal monitors contain a logic system designed to reject artifact. ANSWER >>
True
T/F: The monitor should always be tested before starting a tracing, either external or
internal mode and labeled a test. ANSWER >> True
T/F: The paper speed on the fetal monitor should always be set at 1cm/min. ANSWER
>> False
T/F: Both internal and external monitoring methods are equally accurate means of
obtaining the fetal heart rate and contraction patterns. ANSWER >> False
T/F: The external toco is usually placed over the uterine fundus to pick up contractions.
ANSWER >> True
T/F: The external toco gives measurable uterine pressure. ANSWER >> False
T/F: The fetal spiral electrode can be placed when vaginal bleeding of unknown origin is
present. ANSWER >> False
T/F: The ultrasound transducer is usually placed on the side of the uterus over the
baby's back, as the fetal heart is heard best there. ANSWER >> True
T/F: The spiral electrode is used to more accurately determine the frequency, duration,
and intensity of uterine contractions. ANSWER >> False
T/F: The heart rate from a well-applied fetal spiral electrode can only be fetal, not
maternal. ANSWER >> False
T/F: The intrauterine catheter is used to pick up the fetal heart rate. ANSWER >> False
4
