Fetal surveillance: cardiotocography: practice question

A OBG question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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OBG · Fetal surveillance: cardiotocography

Sample item

On a cardiotocograph, recurrent decelerations begin after the peak of contractions and recover after the contraction ends. What do these late decelerations suggest?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Uteroplacental insufficiency

Late decelerations reflect delayed fetal hypoxemia during contractions and suggest impaired uteroplacental reserve. The whole trace, clinical setting, and reversible maternal factors must be assessed urgently.

Option by option

  • A. Maternal hypoglycemia only

    Hypoglycemia is not the standard interpretation of late decelerations.

  • B. Uteroplacental insufficiency (correct)

    Correct. Deceleration timing after contraction peak is characteristic of uteroplacental insufficiency.

  • C. Umbilical cord compression only

    Variable decelerations more commonly suggest cord compression.

  • D. Fetal sleep alone

    Sleep may reduce variability but does not create recurrent late timing.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More OBG questions

Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is B, Uteroplacental insufficiency. Late decelerations reflect delayed fetal hypoxemia during contractions and suggest impaired uteroplacental reserve.

Why is "Maternal hypoglycemia only" not the answer?

Hypoglycemia is not the standard interpretation of late decelerations.

Why is "Umbilical cord compression only" not the answer?

Variable decelerations more commonly suggest cord compression.

Why is "Fetal sleep alone" not the answer?

Sleep may reduce variability but does not create recurrent late timing.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Fetal surveillance: cardiotocography in OBG. The whole trace, clinical setting, and reversible maternal factors must be assessed urgently.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Fetal surveillance: cardiotocography?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.