Maternity & obstetric nursing worksheet with answers

On which part of the foot is a newborn heel-prick blood sample taken?

1. AThe tip of the big toe
2. BThe outer or inner side of the heel
3. CThe ball of the foot
4. DThe centre of the back of the heel

Which blood test on the mother detects antibodies against Rh-positive red cells?

1. AIndirect Coombs test (antibody screen)
2. BDirect Coombs test on the mother's red cells
3. CHaemoglobin electrophoresis
4. DProthrombin time

Which stool pattern is typical of a breastfed baby after the first week?

1. AYellow, soft and seedy stools
2. BBlack, tarry and sticky stools
3. CGreen, watery stools with mucus
4. DHard, pale and formed stools

A preterm baby on feeds develops a swollen abdomen, bloody stools and feeding intolerance. Which condition is suspected?

1. AInfantile pyloric stenosis
2. BHirschsprung disease
3. CCow's milk protein allergy
4. DNecrotising enterocolitis

Why must the fetal heart rate be monitored before and after external cephalic version?

1. AThe procedure can cause cord compression or abruption
2. BIt is needed only to record the baby's position for billing
3. CIt confirms the baby's sex
4. DIt is used to diagnose gestational diabetes

A woman 1 day after birth has a blood pressure of 150/96 mmHg and a headache. She had normal blood pressures in pregnancy. What should the nurse do?

1. AReassure her that this is normal after birth
2. BGive paracetamol (acetaminophen) and ignore the blood pressure
3. CReport it and assess for postpartum pre-eclampsia
4. DEncourage her to walk to lower her blood pressure

Six hours after birth, a woman has not passed urine. The fundus is boggy and displaced to the right, and bleeding has increased. Why is this a priority?

1. AUrine retention only matters after a caesarean birth, not after a vaginal one
2. BA full bladder prevents the uterus from contracting and increases bleeding
3. CIt shows that the epidural is still working well
4. DA full bladder is a sign of normal recovery

A woman at 30 weeks reports a sudden gush of clear fluid from the vagina without contractions. What is the priority nursing action?

1. APerform a digital vaginal examination to check dilation
2. BAssess the fetal heart rate and check the fluid, and avoid a digital examination
3. CAdvise a warm bath to see whether the leaking stops
4. DReassure her that it is urine and send her home