Bryan Choi
Electronic Fetal Monitoring
Questions and Exercises
The following questions and exercises are to help you connect with the lectures and explore
your understanding of the material in preparation for clinical practice. The goal is to start the
learning process not to make you an expert. The answers will be discussed during clinical
rotation.
1. What are the 4 components of the fetal heart tracing?
a. Baseline FHT__________
b. Variability______
c. Acceleration__________
d. Deceleration______
2. What are the 3 components of the Uterine contraction tracing? Are all three
components part of every tracing? Why or why not?
a. Frequency______
b. Duration________
c. Intensity_________
Why or why not… The Intensity component of the Uterine Contraction may vary
depending on accessibility of uterine contractions. External uterine contractions will
be assessed with palpation if internal equipment not accessible. Palpations will be
graded as non, mild, moderate, strong .________________________
3. What is considered a good sign of fetal wellbeing? Moderate variability is considered a
good sign of fetal wellbeing and ANS response. (6-25bpm variability)
4. What will a disruption of the utero-placental blood transfer result in? Explain.
A disruption of the utero-placental blood transfer will result in the fetus having to
compensate for not having enough oxygen by lowering his/her heart rate.
Hypoxemia Hypoxia  Metabolic acidosis  Metabolic acidemia
5. How do you think nursing uses the EFM in practice?
Nurses may use EFM in practice to monitor the fetus’ health as it is developing inside
the uterus.
6. What is the fetal baseline heartrate? (use the picture A above)
120
7. What is the variability? (use the picture A above)
Moderate Variability
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A.
B.
C.
8. Which deceleration bellow is likely caused by a hemorrhage situation (i.e. placental
abruption)
B
9. Which is most likely cause by compression of the umbilical cord?
A
10. Which is likely caused by compression of the fetal head via decent into the pelvis and
constriction caused by a contraction?
11. C