All Free Midwifery and Obstetric Nursing MCQs with Answers

Every Midwifery and Obstetric Nursing question in the bank, across all chapters, each with the correct answer and a written explanation. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

450 questions · page 13 of 23

  • A. Increase caffeine intake during the premenstrual week
  • B. Keep a symptom diary and use regular exercise
  • C. Remain on bed rest until menstruation begins
  • D. Take antibiotics whenever symptoms develop

Explanation: Recording symptoms helps confirm their cyclical pattern, while regular exercise may reduce premenstrual symptoms.

Correct answer: Keep a symptom diary and use regular exercise
  • A. Drink several glasses of water before examination
  • B. Empty the bladder before examination
  • C. Apply vaginal cream before examination
  • D. Avoid bathing for 24 hours before examination

Explanation: An empty bladder improves comfort and allows the examiner to assess the pelvic organs more accurately.

Correct answer: Empty the bladder before examination
  • A. Take the tablet with tea to improve absorption
  • B. Expect stools to become darker during treatment
  • C. Stop the medicine when menstrual bleeding decreases
  • D. Take the tablet only when feeling tired

Explanation: Oral iron can cause dark stools and gastrointestinal discomfort, and treatment should continue as prescribed to replenish iron stores.

Correct answer: Expect stools to become darker during treatment
Hard
  • A. Menstruation will begin within one hour
  • B. An increase in luteinising hormone has occurred
  • C. Implantation has already occurred in the uterus
  • D. Ovarian reserve has been permanently exhausted

Explanation: The kit detects the luteinising hormone surge, which usually occurs shortly before ovulation.

Correct answer: An increase in luteinising hormone has occurred
  • A. Assessment for raised prolactin and pituitary disease
  • B. Immediate treatment with vaginal antifungal medicine
  • C. Routine pelvic floor exercises without further assessment
  • D. Reassurance that these findings confirm menopause

Explanation: Amenorrhoea with galactorrhoea and headache may indicate hyperprolactinaemia, sometimes related to a pituitary lesion, so medical…

Correct answer: Assessment for raised prolactin and pituitary disease
Moderate
  • A. Advise her to take the next tablet with food
  • B. Assess her immediately for possible pulmonary embolism
  • C. Tell her that mild breathlessness is an expected effect
  • D. Recommend increased fluid intake and routine follow-up

Explanation: Sudden chest pain and shortness of breath may indicate pulmonary embolism, a serious complication requiring urgent assessment.

Correct answer: Assess her immediately for possible pulmonary embolism
  • A. Discuss her concerns privately and explain expected effects
  • B. Tell her that symptoms should not be discussed during treatment
  • C. Ask family members to explain the treatment instead
  • D. Avoid answering questions to prevent increasing anxiety

Explanation: Private, clear counselling supports dignity, informed participation and early reporting of complications.

Correct answer: Discuss her concerns privately and explain expected effects
  • A. Explain the procedure and verify informed consent
  • B. Scrub the lesion vigorously to remove all discharge
  • C. Apply a topical anaesthetic without checking the prescription
  • D. Tell the patient that biopsy results are always benign

Explanation: The nurse should explain the procedure within the nursing role, provide privacy and verify that informed consent is present.

Correct answer: Explain the procedure and verify informed consent
  • A. Use a water-based lubricant and seek clinical assessment
  • B. Use perfumed soap internally before intercourse
  • C. Restrict all fluids during the day
  • D. Begin antibiotics without examination

Explanation: Reduced oestrogen after menopause can cause vaginal dryness and discomfort, and water-based lubricants may reduce friction.

Correct answer: Use a water-based lubricant and seek clinical assessment
Moderate
  • A. Offer a full meal immediately before the procedure
  • B. Confirm fasting status, consent and allergy history
  • C. Encourage vigorous exercise before transfer
  • D. Insert a vaginal medication without a prescription

Explanation: Before anaesthesia, the nurse confirms fasting status, informed consent, allergies and other required safety checks.

Correct answer: Confirm fasting status, consent and allergy history
  • A. Painful contractions with progressive cervical change
  • B. Irregular contractions relieved by walking
  • C. Cervical mucus discharge without contractions
  • D. Backache without cervical dilatation

Explanation: True labour causes regular painful contractions that produce progressive cervical effacement and dilatation.

Correct answer: Painful contractions with progressive cervical change
  • A. Opening of the cervical canal
  • B. Thinning and shortening of the cervix
  • C. Descent of the presenting fetal part
  • D. Separation of the placenta from the uterus

Explanation: Effacement is the thinning and shortening of the cervix, expressed as a percentage.

Correct answer: Thinning and shortening of the cervix
  • A. Left occipitoanterior position
  • B. Right sacrotransverse position
  • C. Left occipitoposterior position
  • D. Right sacrotransverse breech position

Explanation: The occipitoanterior position, especially left occipitoanterior, usually allows the smallest useful diameter of the fetal head to enter…

Correct answer: Left occipitoanterior position
  • A. A baseline of 140 beats per minute
  • B. A baseline of 125 beats per minute
  • C. A baseline of 170 beats per minute
  • D. A baseline of 110 beats per minute

Explanation: A persistent fetal heart rate above 160 beats per minute is fetal tachycardia and requires assessment and reporting.

Correct answer: A baseline of 170 beats per minute
  • A. To estimate the mother's blood loss
  • B. To identify abnormal progress of labour
  • C. To calculate the newborn's Apgar score
  • D. To determine the newborn's birth weight

Explanation: The partograph helps the care team recognise slow or abnormal labour progress and decide when further assessment is needed.

Correct answer: To identify abnormal progress of labour
Moderate
  • A. Administering a prophylactic uterotonic after birth
  • B. Applying fundal pressure before placental separation
  • C. Pulling firmly on the cord without uterine support
  • D. Waiting for heavy bleeding before giving medication

Explanation: A prophylactic uterotonic, commonly oxytocin, is given after birth to promote uterine contraction and reduce postpartum haemorrhage.

Correct answer: Administering a prophylactic uterotonic after birth
  • A. Checking that the placenta and membranes are complete
  • B. Measuring the mother's height and head circumference
  • C. Assessing the fetal lie inside the uterus
  • D. Determining the newborn's gestational age by weight

Explanation: The placenta and membranes must be inspected for completeness because retained fragments can cause continued bleeding or infection.

Correct answer: Checking that the placenta and membranes are complete
Easy
  • A. Encourage breathing, relaxation, and position changes
  • B. Keep the woman flat in bed throughout labour
  • C. Discourage her support person from speaking to her
  • D. Withhold fluids until the placenta is delivered

Explanation: Breathing techniques, relaxation, massage, mobility, and position changes can reduce anxiety and improve coping during labour.

Correct answer: Encourage breathing, relaxation, and position changes
  • A. Massage the uterine fundus and assess the bleeding
  • B. Offer a warm drink and reassess after one hour
  • C. Encourage walking to improve uterine drainage
  • D. Place the woman in a sitting position for comfort

Explanation: A soft uterus with rapid bleeding suggests uterine atony, a circulation emergency that can cause postpartum haemorrhage.

Correct answer: Massage the uterine fundus and assess the bleeding
  • A. Regular painful contractions begin
  • B. The cervix becomes fully dilated
  • C. The placenta separates from the uterus
  • D. The membranes rupture spontaneously

Explanation: The second stage begins when the cervix is fully dilated and continues until the baby is born.

Correct answer: The cervix becomes fully dilated