Maternity & obstetric nursing worksheet with answers

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

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

Which of these is a positive (certain) sign of pregnancy?

1. AAbsence of menstruation
2. BBreast tenderness, nausea and fatigue in the first trimester
3. CA positive urine pregnancy test for human chorionic gonadotrophin
4. DFetal heart activity detected by ultrasound or Doppler

A "contraction stress test" assesses how the fetus responds to:

1. AMaternal exercise on a treadmill
2. BLoud sound applied to the abdomen
3. CReduced blood flow during contractions
4. DA change in maternal position only

A woman at 37 weeks had a placental abruption. Which laboratory finding suggests she is developing disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)?

1. AA low fibrinogen level and low platelets
2. BA low white cell count only
3. CA raised haemoglobin level
4. DA high fibrinogen level and high platelets

A woman in labour has severe back pain with each contraction. The fetus is in an occiput posterior position. Which measure is most likely to help?

1. ASacral counterpressure and a hands-and-knees position
2. BAvoiding movement until full dilation
3. CHolding her breath and pushing with each contraction
4. DLying flat on her back with her legs raised

A woman with pre-eclampsia reports a severe headache and seeing flashing lights. What does this suggest?

1. ANormal effects of magnesium sulfate
2. BLow blood glucose
3. CA tension headache, which is common and harmless in late pregnancy
4. DPre-eclampsia with severe features, with a risk of eclampsia

A woman at 16 weeks says she drinks four cups of strong coffee a day. Which response is most appropriate?

1. ATell her coffee has no effect on pregnancy and she can continue
2. BAdvise switching to energy drinks, which contain less caffeine
3. CTell her to switch to strong tea, which has no caffeine
4. DAdvise limiting caffeine to about 200 mg a day, roughly two cups of coffee

After birth of the head, the nurse feels the umbilical cord loosely around the baby's neck. What is the appropriate action?

1. ASlip the loop over the head or let the body deliver through it
2. BAsk the woman to stop pushing for 30 minutes
3. CPush the baby's head back into the vagina
4. DClamp and cut the cord before the shoulders deliver in every case