AWHONN INTERMEDIATE FETAL MONITORING TEST
ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
This set of 50 questions of **AWHONN Intermediate Fetal
Monitoring** examination. It covers NICHD nomenclature, clinical
interventions, and the underlying physiology of fetal heart rate patterns.
---
### **AWHONN Intermediate Fetal Monitoring: Mastery Practice
Exam**
**1. A nurse is evaluating a 10-minute FHR tracing and notes that the
baseline is 130 bpm. The heart rate fluctuates between 137 and 145
bpm. How should this be documented?**
* A. Minimal variability
* B. Moderate variability
* C. Marked variability
* D. Undetectable variability
* **Rationale:** Moderate variability is defined as an amplitude range
of 6 to 25 bpm. This finding is the most significant indicator of a well-
oxygenated fetal central nervous system.
1
, **2. A nurse identifies a FHR pattern with a gradual decrease in heart
rate where the nadir occurs at the same time as the peak of the
contraction. Which of the following is the cause?**
* A. Umbilical cord compression
* B. Uteroplacental insufficiency
* C. Fetal head compression
* D. Maternal hypotension
* **Rationale:** This describes an **Early Deceleration**. These are
benign and caused by head compression, which triggers a vagal
response. No intervention is required.
**3. Which of the following FHR characteristics is a requirement for a
Category I (Normal) tracing?**
* A. Presence of accelerations
* B. Absence of early decelerations
* C. Moderate variability
* D. Baseline heart rate of 100 to 110 bpm
* **Rationale:** Category I tracings must have moderate variability.
Accelerations and early decelerations may be present or absent;
however, the baseline must be between 110–160 bpm.
2
ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
This set of 50 questions of **AWHONN Intermediate Fetal
Monitoring** examination. It covers NICHD nomenclature, clinical
interventions, and the underlying physiology of fetal heart rate patterns.
---
### **AWHONN Intermediate Fetal Monitoring: Mastery Practice
Exam**
**1. A nurse is evaluating a 10-minute FHR tracing and notes that the
baseline is 130 bpm. The heart rate fluctuates between 137 and 145
bpm. How should this be documented?**
* A. Minimal variability
* B. Moderate variability
* C. Marked variability
* D. Undetectable variability
* **Rationale:** Moderate variability is defined as an amplitude range
of 6 to 25 bpm. This finding is the most significant indicator of a well-
oxygenated fetal central nervous system.
1
, **2. A nurse identifies a FHR pattern with a gradual decrease in heart
rate where the nadir occurs at the same time as the peak of the
contraction. Which of the following is the cause?**
* A. Umbilical cord compression
* B. Uteroplacental insufficiency
* C. Fetal head compression
* D. Maternal hypotension
* **Rationale:** This describes an **Early Deceleration**. These are
benign and caused by head compression, which triggers a vagal
response. No intervention is required.
**3. Which of the following FHR characteristics is a requirement for a
Category I (Normal) tracing?**
* A. Presence of accelerations
* B. Absence of early decelerations
* C. Moderate variability
* D. Baseline heart rate of 100 to 110 bpm
* **Rationale:** Category I tracings must have moderate variability.
Accelerations and early decelerations may be present or absent;
however, the baseline must be between 110–160 bpm.
2
