Question 1
A term fetus shows a baseline of 140 bpm, moderate variability, no late or variable decelerations, and occasional accelerations. How should this tracing be classified?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A - Category I
10 free, exam-style Certificate of Added Qualifications: Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free C-EFM practice test to study every exam domain.
The C-EFM exam has 125 questions and runs 2 hours.
A term fetus shows a baseline of 140 bpm, moderate variability, no late or variable decelerations, and occasional accelerations. How should this tracing be classified?
Correct answer: A - Category I
In the NICHD three-tier system, a sinusoidal pattern defines a Category III tracing. Absent baseline variability also defines Category III when it occurs together with which finding?
Correct answer: C - Recurrent late or variable decelerations, or bradycardia
During the second stage of labor, the recorded rate accelerates with each maternal pushing effort and the tracing appears reassuring, but the rate is 95-105 bpm. What should the nurse suspect FIRST?
Correct answer: A - The monitor is recording the maternal heart rate
A gradual deceleration begins after the contraction starts, reaches its nadir AFTER the peak of the contraction, and returns to baseline once the contraction ends. This pattern indicates:
Correct answer: C - Uteroplacental insufficiency
A tracing shows abrupt decreases in FHR of about 20 bpm below baseline lasting 20-45 seconds, with an onset-to-nadir time under 30 seconds and variable timing relative to contractions. What is the most likely cause?
Correct answer: D - Umbilical cord compression
Which single FHR characteristic most reliably predicts the ABSENCE of fetal metabolic acidemia at the moment it is observed?
Correct answer: D - Moderate baseline variability
For a deceleration to be classified as recurrent, it must occur with what proportion of contractions within a 20-minute window?
Correct answer: B - At least 50% of contractions
Uterine tachysystole is correctly defined as:
Correct answer: A - More than five contractions in 10 minutes, averaged over 30 minutes
A patient with a previous low-transverse cesarean, now laboring on oxytocin, develops a sudden prolonged deceleration, loss of the previously regular contraction pattern, and a change in her pain. Which complication should be suspected FIRST?
Correct answer: C - Uterine rupture
A laboring patient has recurrent variable decelerations attributed to cord compression, with documented oligohydramnios. After repositioning provides no improvement, which intervention MOST directly targets the underlying cause?
Correct answer: D - Amnioinfusion
The Certificate of Added Qualifications: Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM) exam is organized into 5 knowledge domains. These free practice questions are drawn from across them so you can see where you're strong and where to study:
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