Free EFM Clinical Interpretation Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is considered to be the normal range of fetal heart rates?
- 100-150 bpm
- 120-170 bpm
- 110-160 bpm (Correct answer)
- 120-160 bpm
Correct answer: 110-160 bpm
Explanation: <br> The normal fetal heart ranges between 110 and 160 bpm.
Question 2: Which of the following interventions would be appropriate for this tracing?
- Roll to left side, place supplemental oxygen, administer ephedrine
- Position change, followed by amnioinfusion if no improvement (Correct answer)
- Vigorous fetal scalp stimulation
Correct answer: Position change, followed by amnioinfusion if no improvement
Explanation: <br> Cord compression may be alleviated by position change or amnioinfusion.
Question 3: How would you describe the contractions noted on this fetal tracing?
- Tetany
- Irritability
- Hyperstimulation
- Tachysystole (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Tachysystole
Explanation: <br> Tachysystole describes contractions that occur with 5 or more in 10 minutes. The term hyperstimulation is no longer used.
Question 4: Assuming the patient has an IUPC, please calculate the MVUs for this tracing.
- 220
- 245 (Correct answer)
- 280
- 300
Correct answer: 245
Explanation: <br> The MVUs for this tracing would be 245.
Question 5: What is the baseline rate?
- 145
- 165
- 170 (Correct answer)
- 175
- 180
Correct answer: 170
Explanation: <br> The baseline rate doesn't include areas of marked variability or accelerations or decelerations.
Question 6: Are there accelerations present?
- No
- Yes (Correct answer)
- Yes and the strip is reactive
Correct answer: Yes
Explanation: <br> There are accelerations present in addition to the marked variability.
Question 7: Are there decelerations present?
- None (Correct answer)
- Variable
- Early
- Late
- Prolonged
Correct answer: None
Explanation: <br> Decelerations are not present.
Question 8: Are contractions present?
- None
- Irritability
- Occasional
- Regular (Correct answer)
- Tachysystole
Correct answer: Regular
Explanation: <br> Regular contractions are present.
Question 9: What category is this tracing?
- Category 1
- Category 2 (Correct answer)
- Category 3
Correct answer: Category 2
Explanation: <br> It is Category 2 tracing. Category 2 tracing in Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM) represents an indeterminate or non-reassuring fetal heart rate pattern.
Question 10: Is this FHT reassuring?
- Yes. It is reassuring and reactive.
- It is overall reassuring, but not reactive. (Correct answer)
- This tracing is not reassuring and requires intervention.
Correct answer: It is overall reassuring, but not reactive.
Explanation: <br> The FHT is overall reassuring, but not reactive.
Question 11: What is the likely cause of this fetal tracing?
- Fetal arrhythmia
- Fetal anemia (Correct answer)
- Fetal neurological damage
- Maternal hypertension
- Fetal prematurity
Correct answer: Fetal anemia
Explanation: <br> This is a sinusoidal pattern associated with severe fetal anemia.
What is considered to be the normal range of fetal heart rates?