RELIAS FETAL HEART MONITORING Exam
Practice Questions with 100% Correct Answers
Latest Versions 2025 Graded A+
Here is a set of common practice questions compiled from
Relias/AWHONN fetal heart monitoring resources. These are
frequently seen on the exam or in study materials. I'll list them
starting from Question 1, with the correct answer and a brief
explanation for each.
Question 1:** What is the uterine blood supply pathway?
Answer** Uterine arteries deliver oxygenated blood to spiral
arteries, which bring oxygen-rich blood to the intervillous space
of the placenta containing fetal capillaries. Fetal capillaries carry
the oxygenated blood to the umbilical vein that goes to the
fetus. In contrast, the umbilical arteries return waste products
to the intervillous space that go into the mother's venous
system.
**Explanation** This describes the maternal-fetal oxygenation
pathway, a foundational concept.
,Question 2:** What are potential issues that negatively affect
fetal oxygenation? (Select all that apply)
Answer**
- Maternal oxygenation: Asthma, hyper- or hypoventilation
- Maternal circulation: Decreased maternal cardiac output,
hypotension, decreased hemoglobin
- Placental O2 and CO2 exchange: Post-term pregnancy,
abruption, hypertension, hypotension, uterine tachysystole
- Fetal circulation: Cord compression or occlusion
**Explanation** Interruptions at any point in the oxygenation
pathway can lead to fetal hypoxemia.
Question 3:** What is the difference between hypoxemia and
hypoxia?
Answer** Hypoxemia: Reduced O2 in blood. Hypoxia: Reduced
O2 delivery at the tissue level.
**Explanation** Hypoxemia precedes hypoxia, which can lead to
anaerobic metabolism and acidosis.
Question 4:** What are strong indicators of normal fetal acid-
base status?
,Answer** Presence of moderate variability and FHR
accelerations.
**Explanation** Moderate variability (6–25 bpm) and
accelerations reassure absence of acidemia.
Question 5:** What defines moderate FHR variability?
Answer** Amplitude of 6–25 bpm.
**Explanation** Represents a well-oxygenated, non-acidemic
fetus.
Question 6:** What are the criteria for accelerations?
Answer** ≥32 weeks: 15 bpm above baseline lasting ≥15
seconds (15x15). <32 weeks: 10x10.
**Explanation** Indicates sympathetic response and fetal well-
being.
Question 7:** What defines early decelerations?
Answer** Gradual onset (>30 seconds to nadir), nadir coincides
with contraction peak; benign (head compression).
**Explanation** Mirrors the contraction; Category I if other
features normal.
, Question 8:** What defines late decelerations?
Answer** Onset, nadir, and recovery delayed relative to
contraction; associated with hypoxemia. Recurrent lates are
Category II.
**Explanation** Often due to uteroplacental insufficiency (e.g.,
tachysystole, hypotension).
Question 9:** What defines variable decelerations?
Answer** Abrupt onset (<30 seconds to nadir), ≥15 bpm drop
lasting 15 seconds–2 minutes; cord compression. Recurrent
variables are Category II.
**Explanation** "V" shape; shoulders may show accelerations.
Question 10:** What defines a prolonged deceleration?
Answer** ≥15 bpm drop lasting ≥2 minutes but <10 minutes.
**Explanation** Acute event (e.g., cord prolapse); requires
immediate intervention.
Question 11:** Which of the following are true regarding FHR
monitoring instrumentation? (Select 2)
Practice Questions with 100% Correct Answers
Latest Versions 2025 Graded A+
Here is a set of common practice questions compiled from
Relias/AWHONN fetal heart monitoring resources. These are
frequently seen on the exam or in study materials. I'll list them
starting from Question 1, with the correct answer and a brief
explanation for each.
Question 1:** What is the uterine blood supply pathway?
Answer** Uterine arteries deliver oxygenated blood to spiral
arteries, which bring oxygen-rich blood to the intervillous space
of the placenta containing fetal capillaries. Fetal capillaries carry
the oxygenated blood to the umbilical vein that goes to the
fetus. In contrast, the umbilical arteries return waste products
to the intervillous space that go into the mother's venous
system.
**Explanation** This describes the maternal-fetal oxygenation
pathway, a foundational concept.
,Question 2:** What are potential issues that negatively affect
fetal oxygenation? (Select all that apply)
Answer**
- Maternal oxygenation: Asthma, hyper- or hypoventilation
- Maternal circulation: Decreased maternal cardiac output,
hypotension, decreased hemoglobin
- Placental O2 and CO2 exchange: Post-term pregnancy,
abruption, hypertension, hypotension, uterine tachysystole
- Fetal circulation: Cord compression or occlusion
**Explanation** Interruptions at any point in the oxygenation
pathway can lead to fetal hypoxemia.
Question 3:** What is the difference between hypoxemia and
hypoxia?
Answer** Hypoxemia: Reduced O2 in blood. Hypoxia: Reduced
O2 delivery at the tissue level.
**Explanation** Hypoxemia precedes hypoxia, which can lead to
anaerobic metabolism and acidosis.
Question 4:** What are strong indicators of normal fetal acid-
base status?
,Answer** Presence of moderate variability and FHR
accelerations.
**Explanation** Moderate variability (6–25 bpm) and
accelerations reassure absence of acidemia.
Question 5:** What defines moderate FHR variability?
Answer** Amplitude of 6–25 bpm.
**Explanation** Represents a well-oxygenated, non-acidemic
fetus.
Question 6:** What are the criteria for accelerations?
Answer** ≥32 weeks: 15 bpm above baseline lasting ≥15
seconds (15x15). <32 weeks: 10x10.
**Explanation** Indicates sympathetic response and fetal well-
being.
Question 7:** What defines early decelerations?
Answer** Gradual onset (>30 seconds to nadir), nadir coincides
with contraction peak; benign (head compression).
**Explanation** Mirrors the contraction; Category I if other
features normal.
, Question 8:** What defines late decelerations?
Answer** Onset, nadir, and recovery delayed relative to
contraction; associated with hypoxemia. Recurrent lates are
Category II.
**Explanation** Often due to uteroplacental insufficiency (e.g.,
tachysystole, hypotension).
Question 9:** What defines variable decelerations?
Answer** Abrupt onset (<30 seconds to nadir), ≥15 bpm drop
lasting 15 seconds–2 minutes; cord compression. Recurrent
variables are Category II.
**Explanation** "V" shape; shoulders may show accelerations.
Question 10:** What defines a prolonged deceleration?
Answer** ≥15 bpm drop lasting ≥2 minutes but <10 minutes.
**Explanation** Acute event (e.g., cord prolapse); requires
immediate intervention.
Question 11:** Which of the following are true regarding FHR
monitoring instrumentation? (Select 2)
