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

What is vernix caseosa?

  1. ASmall white spots on the nose
  2. BBluish patches over the lower back
  3. CFine, soft hair on the shoulders and back
  4. DA white, cheesy coating on the skin
2.Easy

What is placenta accreta?

  1. AA placenta that separates from the wall before birth
  2. BA placenta that implants over the cervix
  3. CA placenta with an extra small lobe
  4. DA placenta attached too deeply into the wall
3.Easy

A newborn has bluish hands and feet a few hours after birth but pink lips and trunk. What is this called?

  1. AAcrocyanosis, a common normal finding
  2. BCentral cyanosis, an emergency
  3. CMottling of the skin caused by early sepsis
  4. DJaundice
4.Medium

A breastfeeding mother asks how she will know her baby is getting enough milk. Which sign is reassuring by day 5 or 6?

  1. AThe baby feeds for exactly 5 minutes each side
  2. BThe baby sleeps for 8 hours without feeding
  3. CHer breasts never feel full
  4. DAt least 6 wet nappies a day and yellow stools
5.Medium

Which substance in amniotic fluid is used to judge fetal lung maturity?

  1. AAlpha-fetoprotein, assessed by its level
  2. BBilirubin, assessed by its colour
  3. CGlucose, assessed by its concentration
  4. DSurfactant, assessed by the lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio
6.Medium

A woman with hypothyroidism becomes pregnant. What usually happens to her levothyroxine needs?

  1. AShe switches to iodine tablets instead
  2. BThey stay the same, so no monitoring is needed
  3. CThey usually rise, so levels are checked early
  4. DThey decrease to zero, so she stops the drug
7.Hard

A woman at 9 weeks has hCG levels that are much higher than expected, a uterus large for dates, severe vomiting and dark brown spotting. Which condition should be suspected?

  1. AAn ectopic pregnancy
  2. BA missed miscarriage
  3. CA hydatidiform (molar) pregnancy
  4. DA threatened miscarriage
8.Hard

After a severe postpartum haemorrhage, a woman cannot breastfeed because her milk does not come in, and she feels very tired. Which condition should be suspected?

  1. APostpartum thyroiditis
  2. BBreast engorgement
  3. CMastitis
  4. DSheehan syndrome

Answer key

  1. 1. D · A white, cheesy coating on the skin
  2. 2. D · A placenta attached too deeply into the wall
  3. 3. A · Acrocyanosis, a common normal finding
  4. 4. D · At least 6 wet nappies a day and yellow stools
  5. 5. D · Surfactant, assessed by the lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio
  6. 6. C · They usually rise, so levels are checked early
  7. 7. C · A hydatidiform (molar) pregnancy
  8. 8. D · Sheehan syndrome

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