AWHONN Fetal Monitoring Practice Test 2026 – Complete Exam Prep

The correct answer is variable deceleration. This type of deceleration is often associated with umbilical cord compression and is characterized by abrupt decreases in the fetal heart rate that typically have a depth of more than 15 beats per minute (bpm) and a duration that exceeds 15 seconds but is less than 2 minutes. Variable decelerations can often be seen as a "V" shape on a fetal heart rate tracing and can occur with or without contractions.

In contrast, early decelerations are typically gradual decreases in fetal heart rate that occur in conjunction with contractions and are considered a benign finding indicative of fetal well-being. Late decelerations, on the other hand, occur after a contraction, usually due to uteroplacental insufficiency, and can indicate fetal distress. Prolonged decelerations are defined as a decrease in fetal heart rate of more than 15 bpm lasting longer than 2 minutes but less than 10 minutes, and these can signal a more urgent clinical situation.

Understanding the characteristics of these different types of decelerations helps in assessing fetal well-being and determining appropriate interventions during labor.