NCC Certified Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM) Practice Exam

Which of the following can be a non-intrusive indicator of fetal well-being?

1. Baseline heart rate

2. Periodic changes

3. Uterine contractions

4. Decel durations

The correct answer is: Baseline heart rate

Baseline heart rate serves as a non-intrusive indicator of fetal well-being because it reflects the general state of the fetus without requiring invasive procedures. Baseline heart rate monitoring involves assessing the fetal heart rate during a continuous period and is typically done using external fetal monitoring techniques. This allows healthcare providers to gather vital information about the fetus's condition while minimizing any discomfort or stress to both the mother and the fetus. In contrast, periodic changes and deceleration durations often require more active monitoring and can indicate specific responses to uterine contractions or external stimuli, which may involve more direct intervention or attention. Uterine contractions, while significant for determining labor status, are not direct indicators of fetal well-being and require invasive monitoring techniques to assess accurately. Therefore, baseline heart rate stands out as a reliable and less invasive metric for understanding fetal health.