NCC Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM)
Certification Exam Questions and Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationale
2027 Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. A fetal heart rate baseline is determined by evaluating the mean
fetal heart rate over which period?
A. 1 minute
B. 5 minutes
C. 10 minutes
D. 30 minutes
Answer: C. 10 minutes
Rationale: The fetal heart rate (FHR) baseline is the mean rate rounded
to increments of 5 beats/minute during a 10-minute window. At least 2
minutes of interpretable FHR data within that period are generally
required to establish the baseline. The baseline is important because
changes in the rate are interpreted relative to it.
, 2. Which fetal heart rate baseline is considered normal at term?
A. 80–99 beats/minute
B. 100–109 beats/minute
C. 110–160 beats/minute
D. 161–180 beats/minute
Answer: C. 110–160 beats/minute
Rationale: A normal fetal heart rate baseline is 110–160 beats/minute.
A baseline below 110 beats/minute is classified as fetal bradycardia,
while a baseline above 160 beats/minute is fetal tachycardia when the
elevation persists for at least 10 minutes.
3. Which finding is most characteristic of moderate fetal heart rate
variability?
A. Amplitude range of 0 beats/minute
B. Amplitude range of 1–5 beats/minute
C. Amplitude range of 6–25 beats/minute
D. Amplitude range greater than 40 beats/minute
Answer: C. Amplitude range of 6–25 beats/minute
,Rationale: Moderate variability is defined as an amplitude range of 6–
25 beats/minute. Moderate variability is generally considered a
reassuring indicator of intact fetal autonomic nervous system function
and adequate oxygenation at the time of assessment.
4. A fetal heart rate tracing demonstrates an amplitude range of 2
beats/minute for 15 minutes. How should this variability be
classified?
A. Absent
B. Minimal
C. Moderate
D. Marked
Answer: B. Minimal
Rationale: Minimal variability is defined as an amplitude range that is
detectable but no greater than 5 beats/minute. Absent variability
means no detectable amplitude changes, moderate variability is 6–25
beats/minute, and marked variability is greater than 25 beats/minute.
5. Which fetal heart rate pattern is characterized by abrupt
decreases in FHR that vary in timing, duration, and shape?
, A. Early decelerations
B. Late decelerations
C. Variable decelerations
D. Prolonged decelerations
Answer: C. Variable decelerations
Rationale: Variable decelerations are abrupt decreases in FHR, typically
associated with umbilical cord compression. Their timing and shape can
vary from one contraction to another. They may have characteristic
shoulders or rapid onset and recovery.
6. Early decelerations are most commonly associated with:
A. Uteroplacental insufficiency
B. Umbilical cord compression
C. Fetal head compression
D. Maternal hypotension
Answer: C. Fetal head compression
Rationale: Early decelerations typically mirror uterine contractions and
have gradual onset and recovery. They are usually caused by fetal head
compression during labor, which produces a vagal response. In an
Certification Exam Questions and Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationale
2027 Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. A fetal heart rate baseline is determined by evaluating the mean
fetal heart rate over which period?
A. 1 minute
B. 5 minutes
C. 10 minutes
D. 30 minutes
Answer: C. 10 minutes
Rationale: The fetal heart rate (FHR) baseline is the mean rate rounded
to increments of 5 beats/minute during a 10-minute window. At least 2
minutes of interpretable FHR data within that period are generally
required to establish the baseline. The baseline is important because
changes in the rate are interpreted relative to it.
, 2. Which fetal heart rate baseline is considered normal at term?
A. 80–99 beats/minute
B. 100–109 beats/minute
C. 110–160 beats/minute
D. 161–180 beats/minute
Answer: C. 110–160 beats/minute
Rationale: A normal fetal heart rate baseline is 110–160 beats/minute.
A baseline below 110 beats/minute is classified as fetal bradycardia,
while a baseline above 160 beats/minute is fetal tachycardia when the
elevation persists for at least 10 minutes.
3. Which finding is most characteristic of moderate fetal heart rate
variability?
A. Amplitude range of 0 beats/minute
B. Amplitude range of 1–5 beats/minute
C. Amplitude range of 6–25 beats/minute
D. Amplitude range greater than 40 beats/minute
Answer: C. Amplitude range of 6–25 beats/minute
,Rationale: Moderate variability is defined as an amplitude range of 6–
25 beats/minute. Moderate variability is generally considered a
reassuring indicator of intact fetal autonomic nervous system function
and adequate oxygenation at the time of assessment.
4. A fetal heart rate tracing demonstrates an amplitude range of 2
beats/minute for 15 minutes. How should this variability be
classified?
A. Absent
B. Minimal
C. Moderate
D. Marked
Answer: B. Minimal
Rationale: Minimal variability is defined as an amplitude range that is
detectable but no greater than 5 beats/minute. Absent variability
means no detectable amplitude changes, moderate variability is 6–25
beats/minute, and marked variability is greater than 25 beats/minute.
5. Which fetal heart rate pattern is characterized by abrupt
decreases in FHR that vary in timing, duration, and shape?
, A. Early decelerations
B. Late decelerations
C. Variable decelerations
D. Prolonged decelerations
Answer: C. Variable decelerations
Rationale: Variable decelerations are abrupt decreases in FHR, typically
associated with umbilical cord compression. Their timing and shape can
vary from one contraction to another. They may have characteristic
shoulders or rapid onset and recovery.
6. Early decelerations are most commonly associated with:
A. Uteroplacental insufficiency
B. Umbilical cord compression
C. Fetal head compression
D. Maternal hypotension
Answer: C. Fetal head compression
Rationale: Early decelerations typically mirror uterine contractions and
have gradual onset and recovery. They are usually caused by fetal head
compression during labor, which produces a vagal response. In an
