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

What is a likely cause of fetal tachycardia with moderate variability in a term fetus?

1. Fetal distress

2. Maternal fever

3. Chorioamnionitis

4. Maternal anxiety

The correct answer is: Maternal fever

In the context of a term fetus exhibiting fetal tachycardia with moderate variability, one likely cause is maternal fever. When a mother has an elevated temperature, it can lead to increased fetal heart rate as the fetus responds to the elevated maternal temperature. Fever can stimulate the fetal sympathetic nervous system, which increases heart rate and can result in the observed tachycardia. The presence of moderate variability signifies that the fetal heart rate is not in a state of distress, as variability indicates a level of well-being and responsiveness of the fetal autonomic nervous system. This combination of tachycardia and moderate variability can suggest that while the fetus may be responding to external factors, such as fever, it is not in a state of hypoxia or severe distress, which would typically present with decreased variability and other signs of compromise. Understanding the relationship between maternal conditions and fetal responses is crucial for proper assessment and management during labor and delivery. Other factors such as chorioamnionitis and fetal distress would typically present with different features or more severe implications.