All Free Midwifery and Obstetric Nursing MCQs with Answers

• A. Apply firm massage to the swollen area
• B. Encourage the woman to walk around
• C. Notify the provider and assess vital signs
• D. Offer oral fluids and reassess later

Explanation: Severe pain, pressure and swelling with little visible bleeding suggest a concealed perineal or vaginal haematoma.

• A. Persistent sadness lasting longer than two weeks
• B. Loss of interest in the baby and usual activities
• C. Tearfulness that improves with rest and support
• D. Thoughts of harming herself or the newborn

Explanation: Postpartum blues commonly cause temporary tearfulness, mood changes and irritability during the first days after birth, with improvement…

• A. Massage the calf to improve circulation
• B. Encourage brisk walking several times daily
• C. Keep the leg at rest and notify the provider
• D. Apply a tight bandage around the calf

Explanation: Unilateral swelling, warmth and pain may indicate deep vein thrombosis, which can lead to pulmonary embolism.

• A. Mild ankle swelling at the end of the day
• B. Severe headache with blurred vision
• C. Mild fatigue after interrupted sleep
• D. Breast fullness before a feed

Explanation: A severe headache with blurred vision may indicate dangerously raised blood pressure or postpartum pre-eclampsia.

• A. Oxytocin
• B. Prolactin
• C. Progesterone
• D. Human chorionic gonadotropin

Explanation: Prolactin stimulates the mammary glands to produce breast milk after progesterone levels fall following placental delivery.

• A. Remove the breast and relatch the newborn deeply
• B. Continue feeding because pain is expected
• C. Limit each breast to five minutes
• D. Clean the nipple with antiseptic before feeding

Explanation: Pinching pain and clicking suggest shallow attachment or loss of suction.

• A. Stop breastfeeding until the breasts soften
• B. Feed frequently and use warmth before feeds
• C. Restrict fluids until breast fullness decreases
• D. Apply vigorous pressure over both breasts

Explanation: This pattern is consistent with breast engorgement, which improves when milk is removed frequently.

• A. The newborn sucks rapidly without pauses
• B. The mother hears regular swallowing during the feed
• C. The newborn remains asleep throughout the feed
• D. The mother's nipples become increasingly painful

Explanation: Regular audible swallowing indicates that milk is moving from the breast to the newborn.

• A. It prevents every form of newborn infection
• B. It supports temperature control and early breastfeeding
• C. It replaces the need for newborn assessment
• D. It guarantees that the newborn will sleep quietly

Explanation: Skin-to-skin contact supports thermal stability, bonding and early initiation of breastfeeding, including the newborn's innate feeding…

• A. Lochia has a mild fleshy odour
• B. The uterus is becoming firmer each day
• C. The pulse remains above 100 beats per minute
• D. The perineal wound has increasing tenderness

Explanation: Progressive uterine firmness and descent indicate normal involution. A foul odour, persistent tachycardia, or increasing perineal pain may…

• A. Restricting fluids until bowel function returns
• B. Encouraging fluids, fibre and early mobilisation
• C. Using a low-fibre diet for the first postnatal week
• D. Delaying toileting until bowel discomfort disappears

Explanation: Adequate fluids, fibre and mobilisation support normal bowel function and reduce straining.

• A. Offer a warm drink and allow her to rest
• B. Assess her airway, breathing and circulation immediately
• C. Encourage her to walk to improve uterine drainage
• D. Teach routine perineal hygiene before further assessment

Explanation: Faintness with fever and tachycardia may indicate serious infection, sepsis or circulatory compromise.

• A. Wash the nipples with soap after every feed
• B. Apply a small amount of expressed breast milk and allow it to air dry
• C. Clean the nipples with antiseptic before every feed
• D. Keep the nipples covered with tight breast pads continuously

Explanation: A small amount of expressed breast milk can be spread over the nipple and allowed to dry, helping maintain healthy skin.

• A. The newborn's head is turned away from the breast
• B. The newborn's body is straight and facing the mother
• C. The newborn lies flat with only the neck supported
• D. The newborn's chin is held away from the breast

Explanation: The newborn's head and body should be in a straight line and facing the breast, with the nose opposite the nipple.

• A. Start formula after every breastfeeding session
• B. Explain that frequent feeding supports increasing milk production
• C. Limit feeds to protect the nipples from stimulation
• D. Give water between feeds until mature milk appears

Explanation: Frequent effective breastfeeding stimulates prolactin and milk production, while mature milk commonly increases over the next few days.

• A. Stop breastfeeding from both breasts for several days
• B. Check and correct the newborn's attachment
• C. Apply strong antiseptic directly after every feed
• D. Reduce feeding frequency to prevent further injury

Explanation: Poor attachment is a common cause of nipple trauma, so correcting positioning and attachment addresses the cause while breastfeeding…

• A. I should seek help if breast pain is accompanied by fever or worsening redness
• B. I should stop all feeding whenever either breast feels full
• C. I should ignore breast pain if milk continues to flow
• D. I should apply firm pressure to any lump until it disappears

Explanation: Fever, worsening redness, severe pain or systemic illness may indicate mastitis and requires assessment.

• A. Ask only whether the woman has resumed sexual intercourse
• B. Assess mood, sleep, support, contraception and breastfeeding concerns
• C. Advise every woman to begin vigorous exercise immediately
• D. Confirm that emotional changes are always a normal part of motherhood

Explanation: A comprehensive postnatal review includes physical recovery, emotional wellbeing, social support, feeding, sleep and reproductive…

• A. Leave her alone to reduce stimulation
• B. Arrange immediate psychiatric and safety assessment
• C. Reassure her that this is normal baby blues
• D. Encourage her to sleep and review her tomorrow

Explanation: Confusion, hallucinations and possible harm indicate postpartum psychosis, which is a psychiatric emergency.

• A. Give anti-D immunoglobulin within the recommended postnatal period
• B. Give oral iron for three months instead of anti-D
• C. Delay anti-D until the newborn develops jaundice
• D. Give routine antibiotics to prevent Rh sensitisation

Explanation: Anti-D immunoglobulin prevents formation of maternal antibodies against Rh-positive fetal red cells and is given after delivery within the…