Free Maternal and Child Health in the Community MCQs with Answers
50 Maternal and Child Health in the Community MCQs from Community Health Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Maternal and child health covers antenatal care, danger signs in pregnancy, skilled birth attendance, postpartum care, family planning and prevention of maternal complications. It also includes newborn care, breastfeeding, growth monitoring, nutrition, immunization, common childhood illnesses and integrated management of childhood illness in the community.
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50 questions · page 2 of 3
- A. It prevents neural tube defects in the developing fetus
- B. It prevents hypertension in the pregnant woman
- C. It increases breast milk production after delivery
- D. It prevents all infections during pregnancy
Explanation: Folic acid supports closure of the fetal neural tube and reduces neural tube defects when taken before conception and in early pregnancy.
Correct answer: It prevents neural tube defects in the developing fetus- A. Break the suction and help the baby attach more deeply
- B. Limit each feed to five minutes on each breast
- C. Clean the nipple with antiseptic before every feed
- D. Give water before breastfeeding to improve sucking
Explanation: Clicking, nipple pain, and shallow areolar attachment indicate poor attachment.
Correct answer: Break the suction and help the baby attach more deeply- A. Administering vitamin K soon after birth
- B. Giving oral iron during the first hour
- C. Applying antibiotic cream to both eyes
- D. Starting complementary food during the first week
Explanation: Newborns have low vitamin K stores, so prophylactic vitamin K soon after birth reduces the risk of serious bleeding.
Correct answer: Administering vitamin K soon after birth24. A newborn is examined at home on the second day of life. Which finding requires urgent referral?
- A. Jaundice appearing during the first 24 hours
- B. Mild peeling of skin on the hands
- C. A brief sneeze after feeding
- D. Small amounts of breast milk regurgitation
Explanation: Jaundice within the first 24 hours is abnormal and may indicate haemolysis or another serious condition, so urgent assessment is needed.
Correct answer: Jaundice appearing during the first 24 hours- A. Keeping vaccines in a monitored cold box with conditioned ice packs
- B. Placing vaccine vials directly against frozen ice packs
- C. Carrying vaccines in an uninsulated bag for quick use
- D. Storing opened and unopened vials together without checking temperature
Explanation: A monitored cold box with suitable ice packs maintains the recommended cold chain during outreach.
Correct answer: Keeping vaccines in a monitored cold box with conditioned ice packs- A. Arrange urgent referral after providing immediate supportive care
- B. Advise the mother to give extra fluids at home
- C. Schedule a routine review after the fever settles
- D. Provide nutritional counselling before further assessment
Explanation: Convulsion and stiff neck are danger signs that may indicate a severe illness such as meningitis.
Correct answer: Arrange urgent referral after providing immediate supportive care- A. A contraceptive implant placed under the skin
- B. Withdrawal used during every sexual act
- C. Calendar tracking based only on cycle dates
- D. Male condoms used only when pregnancy is feared
Explanation: A contraceptive implant is a long-acting reversible method that does not require daily user action and is highly effective.
Correct answer: A contraceptive implant placed under the skin- A. Both breasts are firm and tender without fever
- B. One breast is red with high fever and chills
- C. A breast abscess has a fluctuant painful swelling
- D. The mother has foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Explanation: Engorgement commonly causes bilateral fullness, firmness, and tenderness without systemic illness.
Correct answer: Both breasts are firm and tender without fever- A. Lentils with lemon and a small portion of meat
- B. Tea with biscuits and a small amount of sugar
- C. Plain rice with clear broth and no vegetables
- D. Carbonated drink with packaged salty snacks
Explanation: Lentils and meat provide iron, while lemon supplies vitamin C that improves absorption of plant iron.
Correct answer: Lentils with lemon and a small portion of meat- A. Refer the child for assessment of persistent diarrhoea
- B. Reassure the family that no follow-up is needed
- C. Stop breastfeeding until the stools become normal
- D. Give an antidiarrhoeal medicine without assessment
Explanation: Diarrhoea lasting 14 days or more is persistent diarrhoea and requires further assessment for dehydration, malnutrition, and an underlying…
Correct answer: Refer the child for assessment of persistent diarrhoea- A. A safe transport plan for referral emergencies
- B. A special sleeping position for late pregnancy
- C. A daily bath with antiseptic solution
- D. A restriction on walking during the last month
Explanation: A transport plan helps the woman reach skilled care quickly when complications occur.
Correct answer: A safe transport plan for referral emergencies- A. Give supervised ORS for some dehydration
- B. Refer immediately for severe dehydration
- C. Give an antidiarrhoeal medicine at home
- D. Withhold fluids until the diarrhoea stops
Explanation: Thirst, restlessness, sunken eyes, and slow skin return are consistent with some dehydration, which is treated with supervised oral…
Correct answer: Give supervised ORS for some dehydration33. Which feeding practice is most appropriate for a child aged 9 months who continues breastfeeding?
- A. Offer thick, energy-rich foods several times daily
- B. Give only diluted fruit juice between breastfeeds
- C. Replace breast milk with tea and biscuits
- D. Provide thin cereal water as the main food
Explanation: After six months, children need thick, nutrient-dense complementary foods while breastfeeding continues.
Correct answer: Offer thick, energy-rich foods several times daily- A. Assess and manage according to the pneumonia classification
- B. Send the child directly for emergency surgery
- C. Give cough suppressant and stop all fluids
- D. Advise the caregiver to wait until breathing stops
Explanation: Fast breathing without danger signs or chest indrawing requires assessment under the childhood pneumonia classification and appropriate…
Correct answer: Assess and manage according to the pneumonia classification- A. Vaccinate the child if no true contraindication is present
- B. Delay every vaccine until the nasal symptoms end
- C. Give double vaccine doses after recovery
- D. Administer antibiotics before giving the vaccine
Explanation: A mild respiratory illness is not usually a reason to postpone routine vaccination.
Correct answer: Vaccinate the child if no true contraindication is present36. Which finding in a child most strongly indicates acute malnutrition requiring further assessment?
- A. A mid-upper-arm circumference below 11.5 centimetres
- B. A mid-upper-arm circumference of 14 centimetres
- C. A soft abdomen after eating a meal
- D. A weight increase over two clinic visits
Explanation: In children aged 6 to 59 months, a MUAC below 11.5 centimetres indicates severe acute malnutrition and requires prompt assessment and…
Correct answer: A mid-upper-arm circumference below 11.5 centimetres- A. A contraceptive implant
- B. A calendar method
- C. A single-use condom
- D. Withdrawal during intercourse
Explanation: A contraceptive implant provides long-term, reversible pregnancy prevention without requiring daily action.
Correct answer: A contraceptive implant- A. It supports temperature control and early breastfeeding
- B. It prevents every infection during the first month
- C. It replaces the need for newborn examination
- D. It makes vitamin K administration unnecessary
Explanation: Skin-to-skin contact helps maintain the newborn's temperature, supports early breastfeeding, and promotes bonding.
Correct answer: It supports temperature control and early breastfeeding- A. Explore barriers and help arrange a suitable follow-up visit
- B. Tell her that further antenatal care is no longer useful
- C. Advise her to attend only when labour pain begins
- D. Ask her to take bed rest until the next appointment
Explanation: Exploring transport, cost, family, work, or service-related barriers helps the nurse reconnect the woman with needed care.
Correct answer: Explore barriers and help arrange a suitable follow-up visit- A. Blood pressure measurement and urine protein testing
- B. Pulse rate measurement and blood glucose testing
- C. Temperature measurement and haemoglobin testing
- D. Respiratory rate measurement and stool testing
Explanation: Raised blood pressure with protein in the urine may indicate pre-eclampsia and requires further assessment.
Correct answer: Blood pressure measurement and urine protein testing