EFM - Electronic Fetal Monitoring Maternal-Fetal Physiology Questions and Answers

Question 1

A laboring patient who received an epidural anesthetic rapidly develops hypotension.
Which of the following fetal heart rate patterns is most likely to be observed as a direct result of this maternal change?

Accepted Answer

Late decelerations

Answer

Early decelerations

Answer

Variable decelerations

Answer

Marked variability

Question 2

Which physiological mechanism is primarily responsible for the presence of moderate variability in the fetal heart rate?

Accepted Answer

The interplay between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems

Answer

Stimulation of fetal baroreceptors due to blood pressure changes

Answer

The release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla

Answer

Fetal movement and behavioral state changes

Question 3

During a uterine contraction, blood flow through the uterine spiral arteries temporarily decreases. What is the primary reason for this reduction in flow?

Accepted Answer

Increased intramyometrial pressure compressing the vessels

Answer

Maternal Valsalva maneuver during pushing

Answer

Fetal head compression against the cervix

Answer

Maternal anxiety causing systemic vasoconstriction

Question 4

Fetal baroreceptors, located in the aortic arch and carotid sinuses, are stimulated by changes in fetal blood pressure. What is the expected fetal heart rate response to a sudden increase in fetal arterial pressure?

Accepted Answer

A rapid slowing of the Fetal Heart Rate

Answer

An increase in the FHR baseline

Answer

A decrease in FHR variability

Answer

The development of an acceleration

Question 5

Which of the following components of the maternal-fetal unit carries the most oxygenated blood?

Accepted Answer

Fetal umbilical vein

Answer

Maternal uterine artery

Answer

Fetal umbilical artery

Answer

Maternal uterine vein

Question 6

A patient is in the second stage of labor, and the fetal monitor shows recurrent early decelerations. This pattern is most commonly associated with which physiological event?

Accepted Answer

Fetal head compression

Answer

Umbilical cord compression

Answer

Uteroplacental insufficiency

Answer

Fetal metabolic acidosis