CEFM FINAL EXAM /PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025-2026|WELL
STRUCTURED|100% PASS
QUESTIONS ANSWERS
what does a category I tracing predict? a normal acid-base balance
what is the baseline for a category I
110 to 160 BPM
strip?
moderate (6 to 25 bpm)
what is the variability for a category I
strip?
early decelerations
what decelerations can be present in a
late and variable decelerations must be
category I strip?
absent
does a category I tracing have to have no; accelerations are not required for a
accelerations? category I tracing
category I tracing example
the acid-base balance is indeterminate
what does a category II tracing mean? includes anything that is not category I or
III
- bradycardia WITHOUT absent variabil-
what is the baseline rate of a category II
ity
tracing?
- tachycardia
- minimal baseline variability
what is the variability of a category II - absent baseline variability WITHOUT
tracing? recurrent decelerations
- marked variability
less than 5 BPM
minimal variability example
marked variability example
, CEFM FINAL EXAM /PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025-2026|WELL
STRUCTURED|100% PASS
QUESTIONS ANSWERS
greater than 25 BPM
accelerations are not present after fetal
are accelerations present in category II
stimulation to classify tracing as category
tracings after fetal stimulations?
II
- recurrent variable decelerations accom-
panied by minimal or moderate baseline
variability
- prolonged deceleration > 2 minutes but
what are the possible periodic or episod-
< 10 minutes
ic decelerations present in category II
- recurrent late decelerations with mod-
tracings?
erate baseline variability
- variable decelerations with other char-
acters (slow return to baseline or shoul-
ders)
an abrupt decrease in FHR below base-
line; greater than 15 BPM lasting greater
than 15 seconds, but less than 2 minutes
variable deceleration example from onset to return to baseline
a decrease in FHR below the baseline
of 15 bpm or more, lasting at least 2
minutes but < 10 minutes from onset to
return to baseline
prolonged deceleration example
late deceleration example
, CEFM FINAL EXAM /PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025-2026|WELL
STRUCTURED|100% PASS
QUESTIONS ANSWERS
a gradual decrease and return to base-
line of the fetal heart rate associated with
uterine contractions
what does a category III tracing predict? predicts abnormal acid-base status
- absent baseline FHR variability and
ANY of the following:
a category III tracing includes either of - recurrent late decelerations
the following... - recurrent variable decelerations
- bradycardia
- sinusoidal pattern
what does absent variability with recur- predictive of current or impending fetal
rent late decelerations or variable decel- asphyxia so severe that fetus is at risk for
eration indicate? neurologic damage and death
smooth, wave-like baseline appears 3 to
6 time per minute
can be documented if pattern lasts for >
what is a sinusoidal pattern? 20 minutes
what do indeterminate and abnormal tracings require evaluation of possible
(category II or III) tracings require? etiology
- discontinuation of labor stimulating
agents
- vaginal examination
- maternal repositioning
what are some initial assessments and - correction of maternal hypotension
interventions for category II or III trac- - IV fluid bolus of LR solution
ings? - assessment of tachysystole (reduce
uterine activity if noted)
- amnioinfusion
- modification of maternal pushing mater-
nal efforts in 2nd stage
STRUCTURED|100% PASS
QUESTIONS ANSWERS
what does a category I tracing predict? a normal acid-base balance
what is the baseline for a category I
110 to 160 BPM
strip?
moderate (6 to 25 bpm)
what is the variability for a category I
strip?
early decelerations
what decelerations can be present in a
late and variable decelerations must be
category I strip?
absent
does a category I tracing have to have no; accelerations are not required for a
accelerations? category I tracing
category I tracing example
the acid-base balance is indeterminate
what does a category II tracing mean? includes anything that is not category I or
III
- bradycardia WITHOUT absent variabil-
what is the baseline rate of a category II
ity
tracing?
- tachycardia
- minimal baseline variability
what is the variability of a category II - absent baseline variability WITHOUT
tracing? recurrent decelerations
- marked variability
less than 5 BPM
minimal variability example
marked variability example
, CEFM FINAL EXAM /PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025-2026|WELL
STRUCTURED|100% PASS
QUESTIONS ANSWERS
greater than 25 BPM
accelerations are not present after fetal
are accelerations present in category II
stimulation to classify tracing as category
tracings after fetal stimulations?
II
- recurrent variable decelerations accom-
panied by minimal or moderate baseline
variability
- prolonged deceleration > 2 minutes but
what are the possible periodic or episod-
< 10 minutes
ic decelerations present in category II
- recurrent late decelerations with mod-
tracings?
erate baseline variability
- variable decelerations with other char-
acters (slow return to baseline or shoul-
ders)
an abrupt decrease in FHR below base-
line; greater than 15 BPM lasting greater
than 15 seconds, but less than 2 minutes
variable deceleration example from onset to return to baseline
a decrease in FHR below the baseline
of 15 bpm or more, lasting at least 2
minutes but < 10 minutes from onset to
return to baseline
prolonged deceleration example
late deceleration example
, CEFM FINAL EXAM /PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025-2026|WELL
STRUCTURED|100% PASS
QUESTIONS ANSWERS
a gradual decrease and return to base-
line of the fetal heart rate associated with
uterine contractions
what does a category III tracing predict? predicts abnormal acid-base status
- absent baseline FHR variability and
ANY of the following:
a category III tracing includes either of - recurrent late decelerations
the following... - recurrent variable decelerations
- bradycardia
- sinusoidal pattern
what does absent variability with recur- predictive of current or impending fetal
rent late decelerations or variable decel- asphyxia so severe that fetus is at risk for
eration indicate? neurologic damage and death
smooth, wave-like baseline appears 3 to
6 time per minute
can be documented if pattern lasts for >
what is a sinusoidal pattern? 20 minutes
what do indeterminate and abnormal tracings require evaluation of possible
(category II or III) tracings require? etiology
- discontinuation of labor stimulating
agents
- vaginal examination
- maternal repositioning
what are some initial assessments and - correction of maternal hypotension
interventions for category II or III trac- - IV fluid bolus of LR solution
ings? - assessment of tachysystole (reduce
uterine activity if noted)
- amnioinfusion
- modification of maternal pushing mater-
nal efforts in 2nd stage
