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 5 of 23
- A. 20 to 30 breaths per minute
- B. 30 to 60 breaths per minute
- C. 60 to 80 breaths per minute
- D. 80 to 100 breaths per minute
Explanation: A healthy term newborn usually breathes 30 to 60 times per minute at rest.
Correct answer: 30 to 60 breaths per minute- A. Document normal peripheral cyanosis
- B. Place the newborn prone for sleep
- C. Assess breathing and provide oxygen support
- D. Offer breastfeeding to improve colour
Explanation: Blue colour of the tongue and lips is central cyanosis and may indicate inadequate oxygenation.
Correct answer: Assess breathing and provide oxygen support- A. Check the newborn's blood glucose promptly
- B. Give plain water by feeding bottle
- C. Place the newborn under phototherapy
- D. Wait until the next routine feeding time
Explanation: Jitteriness and lethargy can indicate neonatal hypoglycaemia, particularly in an infant of a mother with diabetes.
Correct answer: Check the newborn's blood glucose promptly- A. Begin positive-pressure ventilation
- B. Start chest compressions immediately
- C. Give oral glucose solution
- D. Continue stimulation for five minutes
Explanation: Apnoea or ineffective breathing after the initial steps requires positive-pressure ventilation.
Correct answer: Begin positive-pressure ventilation- A. Hepatitis B vaccine only after one month
- B. Hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin
- C. Oral antibiotics for seven days
- D. Vitamin K and hepatitis A vaccine
Explanation: A newborn exposed to maternal hepatitis B should receive hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin as soon as possible…
Correct answer: Hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin- A. It is expected physiological weight loss
- B. It indicates severe dehydration
- C. It confirms congenital infection
- D. It requires immediate intravenous fluids
Explanation: Some weight loss during the first days is expected because of normal fluid adjustment after birth.
Correct answer: It is expected physiological weight loss- A. Meconium changes to greenish then yellow stools
- B. Meconium continues unchanged for two weeks
- C. Stools become white and clay coloured
- D. Stools are always hard and pellet shaped
Explanation: Normal stools change from dark, sticky meconium to greenish transitional stools and then to yellow stools as milk intake increases.
Correct answer: Meconium changes to greenish then yellow stools- A. Complete the routine physical examination
- B. Assess airway and breathing immediately
- C. Give a full oral feed to restore energy
- D. Place the newborn in the mother's bed
Explanation: Sudden limpness and unresponsiveness are emergency signs. The nurse first assesses airway and breathing, calls for emergency help, and…
Correct answer: Assess airway and breathing immediately- A. Give expressed breast milk by orogastric tube
- B. Offer a large bottle feed every eight hours
- C. Give undiluted cow's milk by spoon
- D. Withhold feeds until the suck becomes strong
Explanation: A premature newborn who cannot coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing can receive expressed breast milk through an orogastric tube…
Correct answer: Give expressed breast milk by orogastric tube- A. Allow many visitors to handle the newborn
- B. Wash hands before touching the newborn
- C. Apply antibiotic powder to the umbilical stump
- D. Cover the face during every sleep period
Explanation: Hand hygiene before handling the newborn is a simple and effective way to reduce transmission of infection.
Correct answer: Wash hands before touching the newborn- A. 0 points
- B. 1 point
- C. 2 points
- D. 3 points
Explanation: A weak or irregular cry is scored 1 for respiratory effort. A strong regular cry receives 2 points, while absent breathing receives 0…
Correct answer: 1 point- A. Keep the head uncovered for observation
- B. Place the newborn on a cold weighing scale
- C. Use warm towels and expose only the area being examined
- D. Delay drying until the complete examination is finished
Explanation: Warm towels and limited exposure reduce heat loss by evaporation and convection.
Correct answer: Use warm towels and expose only the area being examined- A. Begin chest compressions immediately
- B. Clear the airway gently with appropriate suction
- C. Give oral fluids to loosen the secretions
- D. Place the newborn flat without repositioning
Explanation: Visible secretions that obstruct breathing should be cleared gently, usually by suctioning the mouth and then the nose when needed.
Correct answer: Clear the airway gently with appropriate suction- A. 70 beats per minute
- B. 95 beats per minute
- C. 130 beats per minute
- D. 190 beats per minute
Explanation: A resting newborn heart rate is commonly about 100 to 160 beats per minute, so 130 is expected.
Correct answer: 130 beats per minute- A. Prone with the face covered by a blanket
- B. Upright with the head turned and airway visible
- C. Supine with the chin pressed against the chest
- D. Side-lying with the neck flexed forward
Explanation: The newborn should be upright on the mother's chest, with the head turned to one side, neck slightly extended, and nose and mouth visible.
Correct answer: Upright with the head turned and airway visible- A. The head is flexed so the chin touches the chest
- B. The face is turned sideways with the nose and mouth uncovered
- C. The newborn is loosely placed at the mother's waist
- D. The legs are held straight below the mother's abdomen
Explanation: In kangaroo mother care, the newborn is upright against the caregiver's chest, with the head turned sideways and the airway clear.
Correct answer: The face is turned sideways with the nose and mouth uncovered- A. It is an expected normal finding
- B. It indicates severe dehydration
- C. It confirms increased intracranial pressure
- D. It suggests an infected scalp swelling
Explanation: A soft, flat anterior fontanelle is normal in a well newborn. A markedly sunken fontanelle may suggest dehydration, while a tense bulging…
Correct answer: It is an expected normal finding- A. Reassure the family that this is always normal
- B. Assess the newborn and report the finding for further evaluation
- C. Give plain water between breastfeeds
- D. Apply pressure over the lower abdomen
Explanation: Most newborns pass urine within the first 24 hours. Failure to do so should be assessed and reported because dehydration, inadequate…
Correct answer: Assess the newborn and report the finding for further evaluation- A. Continue routine observation until the next feed
- B. Protect the airway and obtain urgent medical assistance
- C. Offer a breastfeed to stop the movements
- D. Apply firm pressure to the moving arm
Explanation: Persistent rhythmic jerking that does not stop with gentle restraint may represent a neonatal seizure.
Correct answer: Protect the airway and obtain urgent medical assistance- A. It is vernix caseosa and helps protect the skin
- B. It is dried blood and indicates birth trauma
- C. It is a sign of neonatal fungal infection
- D. It is excess milk that should be removed immediately
Explanation: Vernix caseosa is a normal protective coating that helps reduce skin moisture loss and supports the skin barrier.
Correct answer: It is vernix caseosa and helps protect the skin