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 16 of 23
- A. Apply firm pressure over the lower abdomen
- B. Massage the uterine fundus and call for help
- C. Insert a urinary catheter without further assessment
- D. Place an ice pack over the perineum
Explanation: A boggy uterus suggests uterine atony, a common cause of postpartum haemorrhage.
Correct answer: Massage the uterine fundus and call for help- A. Restrain her arms and legs firmly
- B. Place a spoon between her teeth
- C. Turn her to the side and protect her from injury
- D. Give oral fluids after opening her mouth
Explanation: The immediate priorities are airway protection, prevention of injury, and maintaining maternal oxygenation.
Correct answer: Turn her to the side and protect her from injury- A. Continue the infusion and reassess in 30 minutes
- B. Stop magnesium sulfate and prepare calcium gluconate
- C. Give an additional dose of magnesium sulfate
- D. Encourage deep breathing and offer oral fluids
Explanation: Absent reflexes and respiratory depression indicate magnesium sulfate toxicity.
Correct answer: Stop magnesium sulfate and prepare calcium gluconate- A. Push the cord back into the vagina
- B. Lift the presenting part with a gloved hand
- C. Ask the woman to bear down strongly
- D. Apply fundal pressure to speed the birth
Explanation: The presenting part may compress a prolapsed cord and reduce fetal oxygenation.
Correct answer: Lift the presenting part with a gloved hand- A. Apply strong downward traction to the head
- B. Apply fundal pressure above the uterus
- C. Place the woman in the McRoberts position
- D. Ask the woman to walk around the room
Explanation: McRoberts positioning, with marked flexion of the maternal hips, is the first manoeuvre for shoulder dystocia.
Correct answer: Place the woman in the McRoberts position- A. Placenta previa
- B. Uterine rupture
- C. Uncomplicated false labour
- D. Mild pregnancy-induced hypertension
Explanation: Sudden pain, loss of effective contractions, fetal bradycardia, and maternal compromise are warning signs of uterine rupture.
Correct answer: Uterine rupture- A. Give high-flow oxygen and activate the emergency response
- B. Offer oral fluids and place her in a sitting position
- C. Administer an oral analgesic and reassess her pain
- D. Encourage her to walk to improve circulation
Explanation: The sudden respiratory and circulatory collapse may indicate amniotic fluid embolism.
Correct answer: Give high-flow oxygen and activate the emergency response- A. Turn her to a lateral position
- B. Increase the oxytocin infusion rate
- C. Ask her to lie flat on her back
- D. Encourage prolonged pushing with each contraction
Explanation: A lateral position improves uteroplacental blood flow and is an immediate response to suspected fetal compromise.
Correct answer: Turn her to a lateral position- A. Insert two large-bore intravenous cannulas
- B. Give an oral iron tablet with water
- C. Keep her sitting upright without monitoring
- D. Delay treatment until the haemoglobin result returns
Explanation: The findings indicate hypovolaemic shock, so rapid vascular access is needed for isotonic fluids, blood products, and emergency medicines.
Correct answer: Insert two large-bore intravenous cannulas- A. Arrange urgent referral while continuing resuscitation
- B. Send her home after advising bed rest
- C. Wait for bleeding to stop before contacting a referral centre
- D. Transfer her without intravenous access or monitoring
Explanation: Persistent postpartum haemorrhage requires urgent referral to a facility with blood products, surgery, and specialist obstetric care.
Correct answer: Arrange urgent referral while continuing resuscitation- A. Continue uterine massage for another 30 minutes
- B. Inspect the birth canal and prepare for laceration repair
- C. Apply firm pressure over the woman’s lower abdomen
- D. Give oral fluids and reassess the bleeding later
Explanation: A firm uterus with ongoing bright-red bleeding suggests trauma to the cervix, vagina, or perineum rather than uterine atony.
Correct answer: Inspect the birth canal and prepare for laceration repair- A. Encourage breastfeeding to increase uterine contraction
- B. Prepare the woman for urgent controlled manual removal
- C. Apply an abdominal binder and observe the blood loss
- D. Ask the woman to walk to help deliver the placenta
Explanation: An undelivered placenta with ongoing bleeding may cause severe postpartum haemorrhage and requires urgent obstetric management.
Correct answer: Prepare the woman for urgent controlled manual removal- A. Pull gently on the visible mass to remove it
- B. Call for emergency help and prepare for uterine replacement
- C. Massage the abdomen until the mass disappears
- D. Place the woman upright and offer clear fluids
Explanation: The findings indicate uterine inversion, which can cause rapid haemorrhagic shock.
Correct answer: Call for emergency help and prepare for uterine replacement- A. Oxytocin
- B. Misoprostol
- C. Methylergonovine
- D. Tranexamic acid
Explanation: Methylergonovine causes strong uterine contraction and systemic vasoconstriction, so it is avoided in severe hypertension.
Correct answer: Methylergonovine- A. Oxytocin
- B. Carboprost
- C. Misoprostol
- D. Tranexamic acid
Explanation: Carboprost can cause bronchospasm and is avoided or used with great caution in women with asthma.
Correct answer: Carboprost- A. Preparation for emergency laparotomy and birth
- B. Preparation for a routine vaginal examination
- C. Administration of oral analgesia and reassessment
- D. Encouragement of pushing with the next contraction
Explanation: Suspected uterine rupture is a life-threatening obstetric emergency requiring immediate surgical management and resuscitation.
Correct answer: Preparation for emergency laparotomy and birth- A. Turn her to the left lateral position and call for urgent review
- B. Place her flat on her back and increase the analgesic dose
- C. Ask her to push strongly during the next contraction
- D. Offer oral fluids and continue routine fetal monitoring
Explanation: Maternal hypotension can reduce uteroplacental perfusion and cause fetal bradycardia.
Correct answer: Turn her to the left lateral position and call for urgent review- A. Left lateral position with appropriate leg support
- B. Fully upright position with the legs hanging down
- C. Prone position with the abdomen unsupported
- D. Flat supine position with a pillow under the neck
Explanation: The enlarged uterus can compress the inferior vena cava when the woman lies flat, reducing venous return and cardiac output.
Correct answer: Left lateral position with appropriate leg support- A. Mild ankle oedema after prolonged standing
- B. Persistent oozing from several puncture sites
- C. A small amount of lochia after vaginal birth
- D. A soft abdomen with occasional uterine cramps
Explanation: Persistent oozing from venepuncture sites suggests consumption of clotting factors and platelets, as occurs in disseminated intravascular…
Correct answer: Persistent oozing from several puncture sites- A. Give the next dose and increase the infusion rate
- B. Withhold the next dose and notify the prescriber
- C. Give an additional dose to prevent another seizure
- D. Encourage oral fluids and document the finding later
Explanation: Magnesium sulfate is eliminated by the kidneys, so low urine output increases the risk of accumulation and toxicity even before…
Correct answer: Withhold the next dose and notify the prescriber