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 4 of 23
- A. Observe the newborn again after routine feeding
- B. Place the newborn under a warmer and assess breathing
- C. Give oral glucose water to improve breathing
- D. Delay assessment until the newborn is one hour old
Explanation: Tachypnoea with grunting and retractions suggests respiratory distress, so the nurse should provide warmth and immediately assess…
Correct answer: Place the newborn under a warmer and assess breathing- A. Continue observation without further intervention
- B. Begin chest compressions with assisted ventilation
- C. Give the newborn sterile water by mouth
- D. Place the newborn skin to skin with the mother
Explanation: A heart rate below 60 beats per minute after effective ventilation requires chest compressions coordinated with ventilation.
Correct answer: Begin chest compressions with assisted ventilation- A. A dry cord stump that is becoming darker
- B. A small amount of dried blood on the stump
- C. Redness spreading onto the surrounding skin
- D. Separation of the stump after several days
Explanation: Redness spreading from the cord onto the surrounding skin suggests omphalitis and requires prompt assessment and treatment.
Correct answer: Redness spreading onto the surrounding skin- A. Wearing gloves during every conversation
- B. Performing hand hygiene before and after each newborn contact
- C. Keeping all newborns together in one nursery
- D. Using antibiotic ointment on every newborn daily
Explanation: Hand hygiene before and after each newborn contact is the most important routine measure for preventing cross-infection.
Correct answer: Performing hand hygiene before and after each newborn contact- A. Give unmodified cow's milk by bottle
- B. Provide expressed breast milk using a suitable alternative method
- C. Withhold feeds for 24 hours to prevent aspiration
- D. Give glucose water until the mother has more milk
Explanation: Expressed breast milk is preferred for a preterm newborn and may be given by a suitable method according to the infant's feeding ability…
Correct answer: Provide expressed breast milk using a suitable alternative method- A. Persistent central cyanosis around the lips and tongue
- B. A soft, flat fontanelle with palpable sutures
- C. Repeated projectile vomiting after every feed
- D. Marked abdominal distension with absent bowel sounds
Explanation: A soft, flat fontanelle and palpable cranial sutures are normal newborn findings.
Correct answer: A soft, flat fontanelle with palpable sutures- A. Place the newborn under a warmer and assess blood glucose
- B. Give a bath to stimulate circulation
- C. Offer plain water before checking the baby
- D. Leave the newborn uncovered for close observation
Explanation: Hypothermia, jitteriness, and poor feeding may indicate cold stress with hypoglycaemia.
Correct answer: Place the newborn under a warmer and assess blood glucose68. A 10-hour-old newborn develops yellow discoloration of the skin. Which action is most appropriate?
- A. Reassure the mother that this is always physiological
- B. Report the jaundice promptly for medical evaluation
- C. Place the newborn in direct sunlight near a window
- D. Stop breastfeeding until the skin becomes clear
Explanation: Jaundice appearing during the first 24 hours is considered pathological until evaluated and should be reported promptly.
Correct answer: Report the jaundice promptly for medical evaluation- A. Place the newborn prone after feeding
- B. Use a firm, flat sleeping surface with the newborn supine
- C. Add pillows around the newborn for support
- D. Cover the newborn's face during cold weather
Explanation: The newborn should sleep on the back on a firm, flat surface without pillows or loose covering.
Correct answer: Use a firm, flat sleeping surface with the newborn supine- A. The newborn sneezes twice after feeding
- B. The newborn has brief hiccups after a feed
- C. The newborn is unable to feed and becomes unusually lethargic
- D. The newborn has mild peeling of the skin on the hands
Explanation: Inability to feed with unusual lethargy is a neonatal danger sign and may indicate serious infection, hypoglycaemia, or another illness.
Correct answer: The newborn is unable to feed and becomes unusually lethargic- A. Caput succedaneum
- B. Cephalohematoma
- C. Subgaleal haemorrhage
- D. Cranial molding
Explanation: Caput succedaneum is edema of the scalp that can cross suture lines and usually resolves without treatment.
Correct answer: Caput succedaneum- A. Normal periodic breathing
- B. Central apnea requiring ventilation
- C. Respiratory distress from infection
- D. Obstructive apnea from secretions
Explanation: Short pauses followed by regular breathing can occur as normal periodic breathing in a newborn who remains pink and comfortable.
Correct answer: Normal periodic breathing- A. Report the finding for further assessment
- B. Give oral water to stimulate the bowel
- C. Wait until the newborn is seven days old
- D. Begin rectal stimulation routinely
Explanation: Failure to pass meconium within the first 24 hours can indicate intestinal obstruction, Hirschsprung disease, or another problem and…
Correct answer: Report the finding for further assessment- A. Use appropriate incubator humidity
- B. Place a hot-water bottle beside the newborn
- C. Give extra oral water between feeds
- D. Expose the newborn during every assessment
Explanation: Controlled incubator humidity reduces evaporation through the immature skin of a very premature newborn.
Correct answer: Use appropriate incubator humidity- A. Start early feeding and monitor blood glucose
- B. Withhold feeds until the first stool passes
- C. Give plain water to prevent hypoglycaemia
- D. Monitor only if the newborn becomes cyanosed
Explanation: Infants of diabetic mothers are at risk of hypoglycaemia because of increased insulin levels after birth.
Correct answer: Start early feeding and monitor blood glucose- A. Delay bathing for at least 24 hours when possible
- B. Bathe the newborn immediately in cold water
- C. Remove vernix completely with vigorous rubbing
- D. Apply talcum powder before the first bath
Explanation: Delaying the first bath helps protect temperature stability, skin barrier function, and early breastfeeding.
Correct answer: Delay bathing for at least 24 hours when possible- A. A subconjunctival haemorrhage from birth trauma
- B. A severe bacterial eye infection
- C. A sign of neonatal sepsis
- D. A chemical injury requiring eye irrigation
Explanation: A subconjunctival haemorrhage can occur during birth and usually resolves without treatment when the newborn is otherwise well.
Correct answer: A subconjunctival haemorrhage from birth trauma- A. Stop oral feeds and obtain urgent medical assessment
- B. Continue breastfeeding and observe for 12 hours
- C. Give an oral rehydration solution slowly
- D. Place the newborn prone after each feed
Explanation: Bilious vomiting in a newborn may indicate intestinal obstruction and is an emergency.
Correct answer: Stop oral feeds and obtain urgent medical assessment- A. Place the tape above the eyebrows and around the most prominent occiput
- B. Place the tape around the chin and over the crown of the head
- C. Place the tape across the forehead and below the occiput
- D. Place the tape around the neck at the level of the shoulders
Explanation: Head circumference is measured over the maximum frontal and occipital prominences, usually just above the eyebrows and around the most…
Correct answer: Place the tape above the eyebrows and around the most prominent occiput- A. Clean the eyes gently and arrange urgent medical treatment
- B. Cover both eyes with a firm pressure dressing
- C. Reassure the mother that this is normal tearing
- D. Apply breast milk to the eyes and review tomorrow
Explanation: Purulent discharge with swollen eyelids may be serious neonatal conjunctivitis and can damage the cornea rapidly.
Correct answer: Clean the eyes gently and arrange urgent medical treatment