Free Normal Labour and Delivery MCQs with Answers
50 Normal Labour and Delivery MCQs from Midwifery and Obstetric Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Normal labour covers the onset and stages of labour, cervical effacement and dilatation, fetal lie and presentation, the cardinal movements, and maternal and fetal monitoring. It includes partograph use, pain relief, normal vaginal birth, active management of the third stage, placental assessment and immediate care after delivery.
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50 questions · page 2 of 3
- A. Caput succedaneum
- B. Cephalohaematoma
- C. Subgaleal haemorrhage
- D. Meningocele
Explanation: Caput succedaneum is soft scalp oedema caused by pressure during labour and may cross suture lines.
Correct answer: Caput succedaneum- A. Suboccipitobregmatic diameter
- B. Occipitofrontal diameter
- C. Mentovertical diameter
- D. Submentobregmatic diameter
Explanation: Good flexion presents the suboccipitobregmatic diameter, which is favourable for vaginal birth.
Correct answer: Suboccipitobregmatic diameter- A. Assess the woman and inform the responsible clinician
- B. Apply fundal pressure to speed fetal descent
- C. Begin pushing before complete dilatation
- D. Record the finding and wait until delivery
Explanation: Crossing the action line suggests slow progress and requires assessment for causes such as poor contractions, malposition or obstruction.
Correct answer: Assess the woman and inform the responsible clinician- A. Position her laterally and seek urgent assistance
- B. Encourage her to walk around the room
- C. Offer a warm drink and reassess in one hour
- D. Continue routine observations without intervention
Explanation: Hypotension with tachycardia and dizziness may indicate compromised circulation, so safety and circulation take priority.
Correct answer: Position her laterally and seek urgent assistance- A. It may depress the newborn's breathing
- B. It reliably prevents postpartum haemorrhage
- C. It causes permanent cervical narrowing
- D. It guarantees complete loss of pain
Explanation: Opioids can cross the placenta and cause neonatal respiratory depression, especially when given shortly before birth.
Correct answer: It may depress the newborn's breathing- A. Crowning
- B. Engagement
- C. Lightening
- D. Ballottement
Explanation: Crowning occurs when the fetal head remains visible at the vulva and no longer recedes between contractions.
Correct answer: Crowning- A. Clamp and cut after delayed cord clamping
- B. Milk the cord forcefully toward the baby
- C. Pull on the cord to deliver the placenta
- D. Cut the cord before assessing the newborn
Explanation: When the newborn is stable, delayed cord clamping allows continued placental blood transfer and is recommended in current newborn care…
Correct answer: Clamp and cut after delayed cord clamping- A. Assess uterine tone and vaginal blood loss regularly
- B. Measure cervical dilatation every fifteen minutes
- C. Check fetal lie and presentation repeatedly
- D. Assess for increasing contractions before discharge
Explanation: Regular assessment of uterine tone and vaginal blood loss helps identify early postpartum haemorrhage.
Correct answer: Assess uterine tone and vaginal blood loss regularly- A. Complete cervical dilatation
- B. Birth of the newborn
- C. Delivery of the placenta
- D. Complete uterine involution
Explanation: The third stage begins immediately after the baby is born and ends when the placenta and membranes are delivered.
Correct answer: Birth of the newborn- A. 90 beats per minute
- B. 105 beats per minute
- C. 135 beats per minute
- D. 175 beats per minute
Explanation: A baseline fetal heart rate of 110 to 160 beats per minute is generally considered reassuring.
Correct answer: 135 beats per minute- A. For 10 seconds
- B. For 20 seconds
- C. For 30 seconds
- D. For 60 seconds
Explanation: The fetal heart rate should be counted for a full 60 seconds, especially after a contraction, to identify slowing or irregularity…
Correct answer: For 60 seconds- A. Encourage her to empty her bladder
- B. Increase the oxytocin infusion immediately
- C. Ask her to remain flat in bed
- D. Restrict oral fluids until birth
Explanation: A full bladder can interfere with fetal descent and increase maternal discomfort.
Correct answer: Encourage her to empty her bladder- A. Encourage forceful pushing with each contraction
- B. Help her use panting and controlled breathing
- C. Place her in lithotomy and prepare episiotomy
- D. Apply fundal pressure during contractions
Explanation: Pushing before full cervical dilatation can cause cervical swelling and delay progress.
Correct answer: Help her use panting and controlled breathing- A. Normal moulding
- B. Severe caput succedaneum
- C. Placental separation
- D. Umbilical cord prolapse
Explanation: Moulding is the overlapping of fetal skull bones as the head adapts to the maternal pelvis.
Correct answer: Normal moulding- A. Perform it routinely for every primigravida
- B. Use it only when clinically indicated
- C. Perform it before the cervix is fully dilated
- D. Use it instead of supporting the perineum
Explanation: Routine episiotomy is not recommended because it can increase perineal trauma and discomfort.
Correct answer: Use it only when clinically indicated- A. Assist her to empty her bladder
- B. Apply an abdominal binder
- C. Place her in a prone position
- D. Offer a warm drink and allow rest
Explanation: A soft, right-displaced fundus commonly indicates uterine relaxation associated with a full bladder.
Correct answer: Assist her to empty her bladder- A. At 1 and 5 minutes
- B. At 2 and 4 minutes
- C. At 5 and 10 minutes only
- D. At 10 and 15 minutes only
Explanation: The Apgar score is routinely recorded at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. Further assessment may be needed if the score remains low, but later…
Correct answer: At 1 and 5 minutes- A. Lochia alba
- B. Lochia serosa
- C. Lochia rubra
- D. Purulent lochia
Explanation: Lochia rubra is the red vaginal discharge expected during the first days after birth because it contains blood, decidual tissue, and…
Correct answer: Lochia rubra- A. From the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next
- B. From the end of one contraction to the beginning of the next
- C. From the peak of one contraction to the end of the next
- D. From the beginning of one contraction to the end of that contraction
Explanation: Contraction frequency is measured from the start of one contraction to the start of the next.
Correct answer: From the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next- A. The number and duration of contractions in 10 minutes
- B. The cervical dilatation and fetal head station
- C. The maternal pulse and blood pressure readings
- D. The fetal position and amount of liquor drained
Explanation: The contraction section records how many contractions occur in 10 minutes and how long they last, usually by shading.
Correct answer: The number and duration of contractions in 10 minutes