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 6 of 23

  • A. Persistent vomiting with weight loss and ketonuria
  • B. Mild nausea relieved by eating small meals
  • C. Occasional vomiting without dehydration or weight loss
  • D. Nausea occurring only after taking prenatal vitamins

Explanation: Hyperemesis gravidarum causes severe vomiting with dehydration, weight loss, electrolyte disturbance and ketonuria.

Correct answer: Persistent vomiting with weight loss and ketonuria
Fairly easy
  • A. Ectopic pregnancy
  • B. Threatened miscarriage
  • C. Placenta previa
  • D. Gestational trophoblastic disease

Explanation: Unilateral pain with vaginal bleeding and shoulder-tip pain is highly concerning for ectopic pregnancy, especially in early pregnancy.

Correct answer: Ectopic pregnancy
Moderate
  • A. Threatened miscarriage
  • B. Inevitable miscarriage
  • C. Incomplete miscarriage
  • D. Missed miscarriage

Explanation: Threatened miscarriage presents with bleeding during early pregnancy, usually with mild cramps and a closed cervical os.

Correct answer: Threatened miscarriage
  • A. Placenta previa
  • B. Placental abruption
  • C. Uterine rupture
  • D. Preterm labour

Explanation: Placenta previa classically causes painless, bright-red bleeding in the second half of pregnancy with a soft, non-tender uterus.

Correct answer: Placenta previa
Fairly easy
  • A. New visual disturbance with severe headache
  • B. Mild ankle swelling after prolonged standing
  • C. Blood pressure slightly above the booking value
  • D. Occasional heartburn after a large meal

Explanation: Severe headache and visual disturbance may indicate severe pre-eclampsia and increased risk of seizures, stroke and fetal compromise.

Correct answer: New visual disturbance with severe headache
  • A. A woman who previously delivered a macrosomic infant
  • B. A woman with a history of uncomplicated appendicitis
  • C. A woman whose mother had seasonal influenza
  • D. A woman who had mild nausea in early pregnancy

Explanation: Previous delivery of a macrosomic infant suggests previous abnormal glucose regulation and increases the risk of gestational diabetes.

Correct answer: A woman who previously delivered a macrosomic infant
Easy
  • A. Iron-deficiency anaemia
  • B. Aplastic anaemia
  • C. Sickle cell anaemia
  • D. Acute haemolytic anaemia

Explanation: Iron-deficiency anaemia is typically microcytic and hypochromic, meaning the red cells are small and pale.

Correct answer: Iron-deficiency anaemia
Fairly easy
  • A. To reduce the risk of pyelonephritis and preterm birth
  • B. To prevent gestational diabetes and excessive weight gain
  • C. To increase fetal movement and improve appetite
  • D. To prevent all sexually transmitted infections during pregnancy

Explanation: Untreated asymptomatic bacteriuria can progress to pyelonephritis and is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm…

Correct answer: To reduce the risk of pyelonephritis and preterm birth
Moderate
  • A. Ultrasound with fetal biometry and Doppler studies
  • B. Routine urine dipstick for glucose alone
  • C. Maternal chest radiograph without abdominal shielding
  • D. A vaginal examination as the first assessment

Explanation: Ultrasound measures fetal growth and amniotic fluid, while Doppler studies assess placental and fetal blood flow.

Correct answer: Ultrasound with fetal biometry and Doppler studies
  • A. Uteroplacental insufficiency causing fetal hypoxia
  • B. Maternal iron deficiency causing fetal jaundice
  • C. Excess maternal insulin causing fetal dehydration
  • D. Cervical infection causing immediate fetal maturity

Explanation: Pre-eclampsia can reduce placental perfusion, causing uteroplacental insufficiency, fetal growth restriction and hypoxia.

Correct answer: Uteroplacental insufficiency causing fetal hypoxia
  • A. Ketonuria in a urine sample
  • B. Glycosuria in a urine sample
  • C. Proteinuria in a urine sample
  • D. Haematuria in a urine sample

Explanation: Ketonuria develops when prolonged vomiting causes the body to use fat for energy instead of glucose.

Correct answer: Ketonuria in a urine sample
  • A. Previous pelvic inflammatory disease
  • B. Previous uncomplicated vaginal birth
  • C. Controlled gestational diabetes
  • D. Iron deficiency during pregnancy

Explanation: Pelvic inflammatory disease can damage the fallopian tubes and interfere with normal movement of the fertilised ovum.

Correct answer: Previous pelvic inflammatory disease
  • A. Threatened miscarriage
  • B. Inevitable miscarriage
  • C. Missed miscarriage
  • D. Complete miscarriage

Explanation: An open cervical os with bleeding and cramping indicates that miscarriage cannot be prevented, which is an inevitable miscarriage.

Correct answer: Inevitable miscarriage
  • A. Placental abruption
  • B. Placenta previa
  • C. Cervical ectropion
  • D. Vasa previa

Explanation: Placental abruption commonly causes painful bleeding with uterine tenderness, increased tone or rigidity.

Correct answer: Placental abruption
Moderate
  • A. Chronic hypertension
  • B. Gestational hypertension
  • C. Pre-eclampsia
  • D. Chronic renal hypertension

Explanation: Gestational hypertension is new hypertension after 20 weeks without proteinuria or other features of pre-eclampsia.

Correct answer: Gestational hypertension
  • A. Type 2 diabetes mellitus
  • B. Chronic iron deficiency
  • C. Rheumatic heart disease
  • D. Primary hypothyroidism

Explanation: Gestational diabetes identifies an increased future risk of type 2 diabetes, so postpartum glucose assessment and long-term lifestyle…

Correct answer: Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Hard
  • A. I will take the tablet with tea to improve absorption.
  • B. I will take the tablet with orange juice if tolerated.
  • C. I will stop the tablet when my tiredness improves.
  • D. I will take the tablet with an antacid after meals.

Explanation: Vitamin C improves iron absorption, so orange juice may be taken with the tablet if tolerated.

Correct answer: I will take the tablet with orange juice if tolerated.
  • A. Cataracts and sensorineural deafness
  • B. Large-for-gestational-age growth
  • C. Neonatal bowel obstruction
  • D. Congenital hip dislocation

Explanation: Congenital rubella syndrome can cause cataracts, sensorineural deafness and congenital heart disease.

Correct answer: Cataracts and sensorineural deafness
  • A. Regular cigarette smoking
  • B. Adequate maternal weight gain
  • C. Previous uncomplicated pregnancy
  • D. Daily intake of prenatal vitamins

Explanation: Cigarette smoking reduces placental blood flow and oxygen delivery, increasing the risk of fetal growth restriction.

Correct answer: Regular cigarette smoking
Easy
  • A. Fetal macrosomia with neonatal hypoglycaemia
  • B. Severe fetal microcephaly with hypercalcaemia
  • C. Congenital limb absence with hyperthermia
  • D. Neonatal deafness with persistent bradycardia

Explanation: Maternal hyperglycaemia stimulates fetal insulin production, which promotes excessive fetal growth and can lead to neonatal hypoglycaemia…

Correct answer: Fetal macrosomia with neonatal hypoglycaemia