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

Which fetal heart rate characteristic is most predictive of a vigorous baby at birth?

1. Baseline tachycardia

2. Minimal variability

3. Deceleration patterns

4. Variability

The correct answer is: Variability

Variability in fetal heart rate is a critical parameter in assessing fetal well-being and is considered a strong indicator of a vigorous baby at birth. It reflects the ability of the fetal autonomic nervous system to respond to internal and external stimuli. Good variability shows that the fetus is capable of well-coordinated cardiac responses, suggesting that the central nervous system is functioning effectively. A fetus with moderate to marked variability typically indicates a healthy and active baby, with good oxygenation and no signs of distress. In contrast, minimal variability or other concerning patterns, such as a consistent baseline tachycardia, may indicate potential fetal distress or hypoxia, which do not predict a vigorous newborn. Thus, variability is the most predictive characteristic when determining if the baby is likely to be vigorous at birth.