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 3 of 23

  • A. Use a correctly sized cuff with the arm supported at heart level
  • B. Use a narrow cuff with the arm hanging beside the body
  • C. Measure immediately after walking with the woman standing
  • D. Place the cuff over thick clothing with the arm unsupported

Explanation: A correctly sized cuff and a supported arm at heart level reduce measurement error.

Correct answer: Use a correctly sized cuff with the arm supported at heart level
  • A. Between 6 and 8 weeks of pregnancy
  • B. Between 11 and 13 weeks of pregnancy
  • C. Between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy
  • D. Between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy

Explanation: The detailed structural or anomaly scan is commonly performed at about 18 to 22 weeks, when major fetal organs can be assessed.

Correct answer: Between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy
  • A. Live attenuated influenza vaccine
  • B. Inactivated influenza vaccine
  • C. Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine
  • D. Oral poliovirus vaccine as routine antenatal care

Explanation: The inactivated influenza vaccine can be given during pregnancy and helps reduce serious influenza illness in the mother, with some…

Correct answer: Inactivated influenza vaccine
  • A. Avoid milk because calcium increases fetal weight excessively
  • B. Include milk, yoghurt, cheese or other calcium-rich foods regularly
  • C. Replace calcium-rich foods with tea at every meal
  • D. Take high-dose calcium tablets without discussing them with a nurse

Explanation: Regular calcium-rich foods support maternal bone health and fetal skeletal development.

Correct answer: Include milk, yoghurt, cheese or other calcium-rich foods regularly
Fairly easy
  • A. Eat small frequent meals and avoid foods that trigger nausea
  • B. Stop eating until the nausea completely disappears
  • C. Drink large amounts of fluid only with each meal
  • D. Take any antiemetic available without professional advice

Explanation: Small frequent meals, bland foods, and avoiding individual triggers often reduce uncomplicated pregnancy nausea.

Correct answer: Eat small frequent meals and avoid foods that trigger nausea
Fairly easy
  • A. A chosen facility, transport plan and emergency contact
  • B. A plan to wait at home for two days after danger signs begin
  • C. A supply of antibiotics to start without assessment
  • D. A decision to avoid referral unless labour lasts more than 24 hours

Explanation: Birth preparedness includes choosing a suitable facility, arranging transport, identifying a support person, and planning for emergencies.

Correct answer: A chosen facility, transport plan and emergency contact
Moderate
  • A. Smoking is safe after the first trimester has ended
  • B. Stopping smoking now can still reduce risks to mother and fetus
  • C. Switching to several nicotine products is always completely safe
  • D. Smoking only indoors prevents all fetal exposure to tobacco

Explanation: Stopping smoking at any stage of pregnancy benefits fetal growth and maternal health, and earlier cessation provides greater benefit.

Correct answer: Stopping smoking now can still reduce risks to mother and fetus
Moderate
  • A. It is used only to decide whether pregnancy should continue
  • B. It allows early treatment and measures to reduce mother-to-child transmission
  • C. It replaces the need for routine blood pressure and urine assessment
  • D. It is needed only when the woman has visible symptoms of HIV infection

Explanation: Early HIV diagnosis allows counselling, antiretroviral treatment, appropriate pregnancy care, and planning to reduce transmission to the…

Correct answer: It allows early treatment and measures to reduce mother-to-child transmission
Fairly easy
  • A. Use any medicine labelled as herbal because it is natural
  • B. Check with a qualified health professional before taking the medicine
  • C. Double the usual adult dose because pregnancy increases drug clearance
  • D. Use a relative's prescription if the symptoms seem similar

Explanation: Medicines cross the placenta to varying degrees, and safety depends on the drug, dose, and stage of pregnancy.

Correct answer: Check with a qualified health professional before taking the medicine
  • A. Sleep under an insecticide-treated bed net every night
  • B. Keep windows open at night to improve mosquito ventilation
  • C. Use antibiotics regularly to prevent malaria infection
  • D. Stop attending antenatal visits during the mosquito season

Explanation: Sleeping under an insecticide-treated bed net is an effective personal protection measure in malaria-risk areas.

Correct answer: Sleep under an insecticide-treated bed net every night
  • A. 7
  • B. 8
  • C. 9
  • D. 10

Explanation: The score is 9: heart rate 2, respiratory effort 2, muscle tone 2, reflex response 2, and colour 1 because the hands and feet are blue.

Correct answer: 9
  • A. Dry the newborn thoroughly and cover the head
  • B. Bathe the newborn and place it under a fan
  • C. Leave the newborn uncovered for observation
  • D. Apply cold compresses to the newborn's skin

Explanation: Thorough drying removes evaporative heat loss, while covering the head reduces radiant and convective heat loss.

Correct answer: Dry the newborn thoroughly and cover the head
Moderate
  • A. Suction the mouth and nose routinely
  • B. Position the head in a neutral or slight extension
  • C. Insert a finger deeply to remove secretions
  • D. Keep the head sharply flexed toward the chest

Explanation: A neutral or slight sniffing position helps keep the airway open in a breathing newborn.

Correct answer: Position the head in a neutral or slight extension
  • A. Begin positive-pressure ventilation with a bag and mask
  • B. Start chest compressions before giving any ventilation
  • C. Give oral glucose and reassess after five minutes
  • D. Place the newborn skin to skin and observe closely

Explanation: Apnoea with a heart rate below 100 beats/minute requires effective positive-pressure ventilation.

Correct answer: Begin positive-pressure ventilation with a bag and mask
  • A. Keep the stump clean and dry and fold the diaper below it
  • B. Cover the stump with a tight bandage until it separates
  • C. Apply petroleum jelly and talcum powder after every diaper change
  • D. Pull the stump gently when it becomes loose

Explanation: Clean, dry cord care reduces infection, and folding the diaper below the stump prevents urine or stool contamination.

Correct answer: Keep the stump clean and dry and fold the diaper below it
  • A. Ask the mother to recognise the newborn's face
  • B. Use matching identification bands for mother and newborn
  • C. Record only the newborn's sex on the ward register
  • D. Place the newborn in the nursery without an identification band

Explanation: Matching identification bands provide a reliable way to verify the newborn and mother during transfers, procedures, and discharge.

Correct answer: Use matching identification bands for mother and newborn
  • A. To prevent bleeding caused by low vitamin K stores
  • B. To prevent respiratory distress caused by immature lungs
  • C. To treat jaundice caused by excess bilirubin
  • D. To prevent infection caused by maternal bacteria

Explanation: Newborns have low vitamin K stores and limited intestinal production, so vitamin K prevents vitamin K deficiency bleeding.

Correct answer: To prevent bleeding caused by low vitamin K stores
Easy
  • A. Offer breastfeeding within the first hour after birth
  • B. Delay breastfeeding until the mother's milk becomes abundant
  • C. Give sugar water first to prevent low blood glucose
  • D. Separate the newborn for routine observation overnight

Explanation: Breastfeeding within the first hour supports early colostrum intake, bonding, and maintenance of the newborn's blood glucose.

Correct answer: Offer breastfeeding within the first hour after birth
Moderate
  • A. Provide supervised skin-to-skin kangaroo mother care
  • B. Place the newborn alone in an unheated cot
  • C. Give formula feeds at every two-hour interval
  • D. Expose the newborn regularly to check the skin colour

Explanation: Kangaroo mother care provides warmth, supports breastfeeding, and promotes bonding when the newborn is clinically stable.

Correct answer: Provide supervised skin-to-skin kangaroo mother care
  • A. Urgently refer the newborn for medical assessment
  • B. Reassure the mother that normal jaundice needs no care
  • C. Expose the newborn to direct sunlight at home
  • D. Stop breastfeeding until the yellow colour disappears

Explanation: Jaundice involving the palms and soles with poor feeding and lethargy is a danger sign requiring urgent assessment for severe…

Correct answer: Urgently refer the newborn for medical assessment