NCC EFM PRACTICE FINAL PAPER 2026
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
◉ 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
◉ 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: The most common artifact with the ultrasound transducer
system for fetal heart rate is increased variability.. Answer: True
◉ T/F: All fetal monitors contain a logic system designed to reject
artifact.. Answer: True
,◉ T/F: Fetal arrhythmias can be seen on both internal and external
monitor tracings.. Answer: True
◉ T/F: Variability and periodic changes can be detected with both
internal and external monitoring.. Answer: True
◉ T/F: Variable decelerations are a vagal response.. Answer: True
◉ T/F: Variable decelerations are the most frequently seen fetal
heart rate deceleration pattern in labor.. Answer: True
◉ Etiology of a baseline FHR of 165bpm occurring for the last hour
can be:
1. Maternal supine hypotension
2. Maternal fever
3. Maternal dehydration
4. Unknown
a. 1 and 2
b. 1, 2 and 3
c. 2, 3 and 4. Answer: c. 2, 3 and 4
◉ The most prevalent risk factor associated with fetal death before
the onset of labor is:
,a. Low socioeconomic status
b. Fetal malpresentation
c. Uteroplacental insufficiency
d. Uterine anomalies. Answer: c. Uteroplacental insufficiency
◉ Which of the following conditions is not an indication for
antepartum fetal surveillance?
a. Gestational hypertension
b. Diabetes in pregnancy
c. Fetus in breech presentation
d. Decreased fetal movement. Answer: c. Fetus in breech
presentation
◉ Which of the following does not affect the degree of fetal activity?
a. Vibroacoustic stimulation
b. Smoking
c. Fetal position
d. Gestational age. Answer: a. Vibroacoustic stimulation
◉ T/F: Umbilical cord influences that can alter blood flow include
true knots, hematomas, and number of umbilical vessels.. Answer:
True
, ◉ T/F: Low amplitude contractions are not an early sign of preterm
labor.. Answer: False
◉ T/F: Corticosteroid administration may cause an increase in FHR
accelerations.. Answer: False
◉ T/F: Corticosteroid administration may cause an increase in FHR..
Answer: True
◉ T/F: Contractions cause an increase in uterine venous pressure
and a decrease in uterine artery perfusion.. Answer: True
◉ As a result of the intrinsic fetal response to oxygen deprivation,
increased catecholamine levels cause the peripheral blood flow to
decrease while the blood flow to vital organs increases. These flow
changes along with increased catecholamine secretions have what
effect on fetal blood pressure and fetal heart rate?
A. Increase BP and increase HR
B. Increase BP and decrease HR
C. Decrease BP and increase HR
D. Decrease BP and decrease HR. Answer: B. Increase BP and
decrease HR
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
◉ 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
◉ 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: The most common artifact with the ultrasound transducer
system for fetal heart rate is increased variability.. Answer: True
◉ T/F: All fetal monitors contain a logic system designed to reject
artifact.. Answer: True
,◉ T/F: Fetal arrhythmias can be seen on both internal and external
monitor tracings.. Answer: True
◉ T/F: Variability and periodic changes can be detected with both
internal and external monitoring.. Answer: True
◉ T/F: Variable decelerations are a vagal response.. Answer: True
◉ T/F: Variable decelerations are the most frequently seen fetal
heart rate deceleration pattern in labor.. Answer: True
◉ Etiology of a baseline FHR of 165bpm occurring for the last hour
can be:
1. Maternal supine hypotension
2. Maternal fever
3. Maternal dehydration
4. Unknown
a. 1 and 2
b. 1, 2 and 3
c. 2, 3 and 4. Answer: c. 2, 3 and 4
◉ The most prevalent risk factor associated with fetal death before
the onset of labor is:
,a. Low socioeconomic status
b. Fetal malpresentation
c. Uteroplacental insufficiency
d. Uterine anomalies. Answer: c. Uteroplacental insufficiency
◉ Which of the following conditions is not an indication for
antepartum fetal surveillance?
a. Gestational hypertension
b. Diabetes in pregnancy
c. Fetus in breech presentation
d. Decreased fetal movement. Answer: c. Fetus in breech
presentation
◉ Which of the following does not affect the degree of fetal activity?
a. Vibroacoustic stimulation
b. Smoking
c. Fetal position
d. Gestational age. Answer: a. Vibroacoustic stimulation
◉ T/F: Umbilical cord influences that can alter blood flow include
true knots, hematomas, and number of umbilical vessels.. Answer:
True
, ◉ T/F: Low amplitude contractions are not an early sign of preterm
labor.. Answer: False
◉ T/F: Corticosteroid administration may cause an increase in FHR
accelerations.. Answer: False
◉ T/F: Corticosteroid administration may cause an increase in FHR..
Answer: True
◉ T/F: Contractions cause an increase in uterine venous pressure
and a decrease in uterine artery perfusion.. Answer: True
◉ As a result of the intrinsic fetal response to oxygen deprivation,
increased catecholamine levels cause the peripheral blood flow to
decrease while the blood flow to vital organs increases. These flow
changes along with increased catecholamine secretions have what
effect on fetal blood pressure and fetal heart rate?
A. Increase BP and increase HR
B. Increase BP and decrease HR
C. Decrease BP and increase HR
D. Decrease BP and decrease HR. Answer: B. Increase BP and
decrease HR
