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

Transient tachypnoea of the newborn is caused by:

  1. ABacterial infection of the lungs
  2. BSlow clearance of fetal lung fluid
  3. CBlockage of the nasal passages
  4. DLack of surfactant in preterm babies
2.Easy

Hegar's sign, a softening of the lower uterine segment found by the examiner, is classified as:

  1. AA danger sign in pregnancy
  2. BA presumptive sign of pregnancy
  3. CA positive sign of pregnancy
  4. DA probable sign of pregnancy
3.Easy

What is the main role of a support person such as a doula in labour?

  1. AContinuous emotional and physical support
  2. BGiving pain medication
  3. CPerforming vaginal examinations
  4. DInterpreting the fetal heart rate tracing
4.Medium

On abdominal palpation at 39 weeks, only 2/5 of the fetal head can be felt above the pelvic brim. How is this interpreted?

  1. AThe fetus is in a breech presentation
  2. BThe head is crowning at the vulva
  3. CThe head is free above the pelvic brim
  4. DThe head is engaged in the pelvis
5.Medium

A woman with pre-eclampsia is on magnesium sulfate. Why does the nurse monitor her urine output closely?

  1. AMagnesium is cleared by the kidneys, so oliguria raises the risk of toxicity
  2. BLow urine output shows that the magnesium is working
  3. CMagnesium causes a large diuresis that leads to dehydration
  4. DUrine output tells the nurse exactly when to stop the infusion after the birth
6.Medium

A woman has a positive home pregnancy test. How is this sign classified?

  1. AA probable sign of pregnancy
  2. BA diagnostic sign of pregnancy
  3. CA presumptive sign of pregnancy
  4. DA positive sign of pregnancy
7.Hard

A newborn is pale, has a heart rate of 170/min and weak pulses after a difficult vacuum birth. The scalp is boggy and swelling across the sutures is increasing. What should the nurse suspect?

  1. ASimple cephalhaematoma
  2. BCaput succedaneum
  3. CSubgaleal haemorrhage
  4. DNormal moulding
8.Hard

A labouring woman refuses a recommended caesarean for fetal distress after a full explanation. She has decision-making capacity. What should the nurse do?

  1. AAsk her partner to consent instead
  2. BStop caring for her because she refused advice
  3. CPrepare her for surgery anyway because the baby is at risk
  4. DRespect her decision, document it and inform the team

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Slow clearance of fetal lung fluid
  2. 2. D · A probable sign of pregnancy
  3. 3. A · Continuous emotional and physical support
  4. 4. D · The head is engaged in the pelvis
  5. 5. A · Magnesium is cleared by the kidneys, so oliguria raises the risk of toxicity
  6. 6. A · A probable sign of pregnancy
  7. 7. C · Subgaleal haemorrhage
  8. 8. D · Respect her decision, document it and inform the team

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