1 AWHONN FETAL HEART
MONITORING BASICS EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. VERIFIED
2026.
a) Frequency
b) Duration - ANS Which contraction characteristics can be assessed with a
tocodynamometer?
a) Frequency
b) Duration
c) Intensity
Uterus - ANS All Fetuses of mothers in labor experience an interruption of the oxygenation
pathway at which point?
a) Throughout labor and delivery unless the use of a more accurate method is clearly indicated -
ANS The FHR can be monitored using doppler ultrasound?
a) Throughout labor and delivery unless the use of a more accurate method is clearly indicated
b) Internally
c) Only early in labor
d) The FHR cannot be monitored by doppler ultrasound
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,b) 110-160 bpm - ANS What is the normal range for FHR base line in a term infant?
a) 80-120 bpm
b) 110-160 bpm
c) 140-180bpm
d) it depends on the sex of the fetus
Mother's inhalation to lungs to mat. circulatory system to hemoglobin in RBC's to bloodstream
in uterus. Uterus to spiral arteries to placenta to intervillous space to travel via simple diffusion
into the villi. The capillaries to the umb. vein to the fetus.
The umb. artery sends waste (CO2) to the intervillous space to the mothers venous system. -
ANS Trace the flow of oxygen from mother to fetus and back.
1. Mother (blood plasma, cardiac output, hemoglobin concentration & O2 saturation)
2. Placenta/intervillous space (uterine contractions & calcification's)
3. Fetus (vagal response aka decel or cord compression) - ANS What factors impact maternal
oxygen delivery?
30-50%
lateral recumbent or semi-Fowler's - ANS By what % does maternal cardiac output increase
above the non-pregnant state and what position helps this uteroplacental blood flow?
>5 contractions in 10 min (more frequently than Q 2 min) averaged over 30 min window.
Caused by oxytocin, aminoinfusion or in rare cases spontaneously. - ANS Define tachysystole
contractions and the cause of.
Maintaining mat. volume, mat. positioning, intravenous hydration. Decreasing mat.
pain/anxiety.
1. Reposition pt to side.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,2. Admin IV fluid bolus.
3. Admin 0.25mg terbutaline SQ.
4. Admin O2 10L via non rebreather face mask. - ANS List interventions for tachysystole
contractions.
higher conc. to lower concentration.
1.Oxygen from maternal (higher) to fetal compartment (lower) to fetal hgb then transported to
fetal tissue.
2. CO2 returns to intervillous space by passive diffusion and is removed by the mat. venous
system. - ANS Describe passive diffusion as related to the maternal placental fetal system.
Place her in lateral position, & increase IV fluids. If no improvement may need to give epi to
increase vascular tone. - ANS Maternal hypotension is a potential side effect of regional
anesthesia and analgesia. What nursing interventions could you use to raise the client's blood
pressure? Choose all that apply.
A) Place the woman in a supine position.
B) Place the woman in a lateral position.
C) Increase intravenous (IV) fluids.
D) Continuous Fetal Monitor
E) Administer ephedrine per MD order
systolic BP >= 140mm hg, a diastolic BP>= 90 mm hg or MAP of >=105 - ANS Define maternal
hypertension (gestational).
17g/dl, fetal hgb has a higher oxygen affinity than an adult to develop in an oxygen poor
environment. The fetal circulatory pattern ensures blood with higher O2 and nutrition content is
delivered to the vital organs (brain and heart) to tolerate the stress of labor. - ANS What is
the normal expected value for a term fetal HGB?
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, 1 vein, 2 arteries encased in wharton's jelly.
O2 (high content) travels via the vein
CO2 travels via 2 arteries back to placenta - ANS detail the umbilical cord
A decrease of blood flow and O2 delivery to fetus & increases CO2 level in fetus.
Transient cord compression can be common in labor. Variable FHR decel's is frequently
associated with cord compression. - ANS Define cord compression.
May lead to hypoxemia and fetal acidemia. The depth of variable deceleration's is not enough to
determine degree. Evaluate oxygenation through baseline heart rate characteristics through
rate, variability and presence or absence of accelerations. - ANS Explain persistent or
recurrent cord compression concerns and what to look at.
A normal part of labor. As contractions build increased uterine pressure prevents blood from
entering/leaving the intervillous space. During the peak the fetus relies completely on its
oxygen reserve (an aerobic challenge that is not an issue for a health fetus. - ANS Explain
transient interruptions in fetal oxygen supple during labor.
Chronic deficiency of placenta function, usually from an interruption of oxygenation pathway
due to abruption, mat. hypo or hypertension or other issues. Infant is not tolerant of
contractions. Can result in fetal grow restrictions (FGR) - ANS Define Uteroplacental
insufficiency (UPI)
Assess baseline FHR
Determine rhythms (regular vs irregular)
ID accelerations and deceleration's but not the type of deceleration (early/late/variable)
The fetal heartbeat is best heard over the fetal back. - ANS Auscultation of Fetal Heart
Sounds tell you what information?
Where is the best place to listen?
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
MONITORING BASICS EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. VERIFIED
2026.
a) Frequency
b) Duration - ANS Which contraction characteristics can be assessed with a
tocodynamometer?
a) Frequency
b) Duration
c) Intensity
Uterus - ANS All Fetuses of mothers in labor experience an interruption of the oxygenation
pathway at which point?
a) Throughout labor and delivery unless the use of a more accurate method is clearly indicated -
ANS The FHR can be monitored using doppler ultrasound?
a) Throughout labor and delivery unless the use of a more accurate method is clearly indicated
b) Internally
c) Only early in labor
d) The FHR cannot be monitored by doppler ultrasound
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,b) 110-160 bpm - ANS What is the normal range for FHR base line in a term infant?
a) 80-120 bpm
b) 110-160 bpm
c) 140-180bpm
d) it depends on the sex of the fetus
Mother's inhalation to lungs to mat. circulatory system to hemoglobin in RBC's to bloodstream
in uterus. Uterus to spiral arteries to placenta to intervillous space to travel via simple diffusion
into the villi. The capillaries to the umb. vein to the fetus.
The umb. artery sends waste (CO2) to the intervillous space to the mothers venous system. -
ANS Trace the flow of oxygen from mother to fetus and back.
1. Mother (blood plasma, cardiac output, hemoglobin concentration & O2 saturation)
2. Placenta/intervillous space (uterine contractions & calcification's)
3. Fetus (vagal response aka decel or cord compression) - ANS What factors impact maternal
oxygen delivery?
30-50%
lateral recumbent or semi-Fowler's - ANS By what % does maternal cardiac output increase
above the non-pregnant state and what position helps this uteroplacental blood flow?
>5 contractions in 10 min (more frequently than Q 2 min) averaged over 30 min window.
Caused by oxytocin, aminoinfusion or in rare cases spontaneously. - ANS Define tachysystole
contractions and the cause of.
Maintaining mat. volume, mat. positioning, intravenous hydration. Decreasing mat.
pain/anxiety.
1. Reposition pt to side.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,2. Admin IV fluid bolus.
3. Admin 0.25mg terbutaline SQ.
4. Admin O2 10L via non rebreather face mask. - ANS List interventions for tachysystole
contractions.
higher conc. to lower concentration.
1.Oxygen from maternal (higher) to fetal compartment (lower) to fetal hgb then transported to
fetal tissue.
2. CO2 returns to intervillous space by passive diffusion and is removed by the mat. venous
system. - ANS Describe passive diffusion as related to the maternal placental fetal system.
Place her in lateral position, & increase IV fluids. If no improvement may need to give epi to
increase vascular tone. - ANS Maternal hypotension is a potential side effect of regional
anesthesia and analgesia. What nursing interventions could you use to raise the client's blood
pressure? Choose all that apply.
A) Place the woman in a supine position.
B) Place the woman in a lateral position.
C) Increase intravenous (IV) fluids.
D) Continuous Fetal Monitor
E) Administer ephedrine per MD order
systolic BP >= 140mm hg, a diastolic BP>= 90 mm hg or MAP of >=105 - ANS Define maternal
hypertension (gestational).
17g/dl, fetal hgb has a higher oxygen affinity than an adult to develop in an oxygen poor
environment. The fetal circulatory pattern ensures blood with higher O2 and nutrition content is
delivered to the vital organs (brain and heart) to tolerate the stress of labor. - ANS What is
the normal expected value for a term fetal HGB?
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, 1 vein, 2 arteries encased in wharton's jelly.
O2 (high content) travels via the vein
CO2 travels via 2 arteries back to placenta - ANS detail the umbilical cord
A decrease of blood flow and O2 delivery to fetus & increases CO2 level in fetus.
Transient cord compression can be common in labor. Variable FHR decel's is frequently
associated with cord compression. - ANS Define cord compression.
May lead to hypoxemia and fetal acidemia. The depth of variable deceleration's is not enough to
determine degree. Evaluate oxygenation through baseline heart rate characteristics through
rate, variability and presence or absence of accelerations. - ANS Explain persistent or
recurrent cord compression concerns and what to look at.
A normal part of labor. As contractions build increased uterine pressure prevents blood from
entering/leaving the intervillous space. During the peak the fetus relies completely on its
oxygen reserve (an aerobic challenge that is not an issue for a health fetus. - ANS Explain
transient interruptions in fetal oxygen supple during labor.
Chronic deficiency of placenta function, usually from an interruption of oxygenation pathway
due to abruption, mat. hypo or hypertension or other issues. Infant is not tolerant of
contractions. Can result in fetal grow restrictions (FGR) - ANS Define Uteroplacental
insufficiency (UPI)
Assess baseline FHR
Determine rhythms (regular vs irregular)
ID accelerations and deceleration's but not the type of deceleration (early/late/variable)
The fetal heartbeat is best heard over the fetal back. - ANS Auscultation of Fetal Heart
Sounds tell you what information?
Where is the best place to listen?
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
