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

What type of decelerations occur with less than 50% of contractions?

1. Repetitive

2. Variable

3. Intermittent

4. Late

The correct answer is: Intermittent

Intermittent decelerations are defined as those occurring less than 50% of the contractions. This classification indicates that the decelerations are not consistently present with each contraction, suggesting a less concerning pattern when monitoring fetal heart rates. During labor, intermittent decelerations can be a normal finding and could happen occasionally, reflecting potential variations in fetal response without indicating a significant compromise in fetal well-being. Repetitive decelerations, on the other hand, would occur frequently with more than 50% of contractions, indicating a stronger pattern that could signal issues needing closer observation. Variable decelerations are often abrupt and associated with umbilical cord compression, displaying a different pattern and clinical significance. Late decelerations indicate a delayed response after a contraction, usually associated with uteroplacental insufficiency, which is concerning and may not fit the intermittent classification. In summary, identifying decelerations as intermittent provides crucial information about the fetal condition during labor and helps categorize patterns based on their frequency relative to contractions.