Maternity & obstetric nursing worksheet with answers

Free printable Maternity & obstetric nursing worksheet: 8 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

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Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

A woman lists her symptoms. Which one is a presumptive (subjective) sign of pregnancy?

  1. AA positive pregnancy test
  2. BFetal heart tones heard by Doppler
  3. CBallottement of the fetus
  4. DAmenorrhoea
2.Easy

Which hormone is detected by a standard pregnancy test?

  1. AFollicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
  2. BHuman chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG)
  3. CHuman placental lactogen (hPL)
  4. DLuteinising hormone (LH)
3.Easy

In Rubin's "taking-in" phase after birth, the mother typically:

  1. AIs eager to learn how to bathe the baby
  2. BTakes full control of the baby's care
  3. CReturns to her usual work and roles
  4. DFocuses on her own needs and the birth
4.Medium

After rupture of the membranes, the amniotic fluid is green. What does this suggest?

  1. AThe fluid is normal at term
  2. BThe fetus has passed meconium
  3. CThere is bleeding from the placenta
  4. DThe mother has an infection with group B streptococcus
5.Medium

A breastfeeding mother has afterpains (cramping) during feeds on day 2. What explains this?

  1. AHer milk supply is too low
  2. BShe has a urinary tract infection
  3. COxytocin released during breastfeeding makes the uterus contract
  4. DThe placenta has not been fully delivered and is still being expelled
6.Medium

How can a cephalhaematoma be told apart from caput succedaneum?

  1. AA cephalhaematoma is present at birth and disappears within a few days
  2. BA cephalhaematoma does not cross the suture lines
  3. CA cephalhaematoma is a soft swelling of the scalp skin only
  4. DA cephalhaematoma crosses the midline of the skull
7.Hard

A newborn's cord stump has redness spreading onto the abdominal skin and a foul discharge. What is the priority?

  1. ATeach the parents to pull the stump off
  2. BReport it as possible omphalitis
  3. CCover the cord with a tight dressing
  4. DApply talc and recheck in a week
8.Hard

A woman on a magnesium sulfate infusion has a respiratory rate of 10/min and absent patellar reflexes. What should the nurse do first?

  1. ARecheck the reflexes in 2 hours
  2. BIncrease the infusion rate, because these signs show her pre-eclampsia is worsening
  3. CGive a dose of naloxone
  4. DStop the infusion and call the provider urgently, with calcium gluconate ready

Answer key

  1. 1. D · Amenorrhoea
  2. 2. B · Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG)
  3. 3. D · Focuses on her own needs and the birth
  4. 4. B · The fetus has passed meconium
  5. 5. C · Oxytocin released during breastfeeding makes the uterus contract
  6. 6. B · A cephalhaematoma does not cross the suture lines
  7. 7. B · Report it as possible omphalitis
  8. 8. D · Stop the infusion and call the provider urgently, with calcium gluconate ready

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