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

Why are women often very sweaty in the first days after birth?

  1. AIt is a sign of infection
  2. BIt is caused by low blood glucose
  3. CThe body is shedding extra pregnancy fluid
  4. DIt shows that the breast milk is starting to come in
2.Easy

What is Chadwick's sign?

  1. ADarkening of a line from the umbilicus to the pubis
  2. BSoftening of the tip of the cervix
  3. CSoftening of the lower uterine segment
  4. DA bluish-purple colour of the cervix, vagina and vulva
3.Easy

Respiratory distress syndrome in preterm babies is mainly caused by:

  1. AAspiration of meconium
  2. BA heart defect
  3. CSurfactant deficiency
  4. DToo much amniotic fluid in the lungs
4.Medium

Where universal screening for group B streptococcus is used, when is the vaginal–rectal swab usually taken?

  1. AAt about 36 to 37 weeks
  2. BAt the first antenatal visit
  3. CAt about 20 weeks
  4. DAfter the membranes rupture in labour
5.Medium

Why is an indwelling catheter placed before a caesarean birth?

  1. ATo collect a urine sample for culture
  2. BTo keep the bladder empty during surgery
  3. CTo measure the baby's fluid balance
  4. DTo prevent postpartum haemorrhage
6.Medium

A woman at 28 weeks asks why her heart rate is higher than before pregnancy. Which response is accurate?

  1. AA rise of about 10 to 15 beats per minute is normal in pregnancy
  2. BHeart rate normally falls in pregnancy, so this needs urgent review
  3. CA higher heart rate in pregnancy always points to heart disease
  4. DThe heart rate rises because blood pressure is much higher in pregnancy
7.Hard

A newborn in the first hours sneezes, has a high-pitched cry, tremors and loose stools. The mother took opioids throughout pregnancy. Which intervention is most appropriate first?

  1. ABright lights and frequent handling to keep the baby awake
  2. BA quiet, dim room, swaddling and small, frequent feeds
  3. CGiving naloxone to reverse the opioids
  4. DWithholding feeds until the symptoms settle
8.Hard

A woman at 36 weeks with pre-eclampsia reports new pain under the right ribs and nausea. How should the nurse respond?

  1. AEncourage her to walk to relieve the discomfort
  2. BGive an antacid and reassure her that heartburn is common late in pregnancy
  3. CReport it urgently as a possible sign of liver involvement or HELLP syndrome
  4. DNote it for the morning ward round

Answer key

  1. 1. C · The body is shedding extra pregnancy fluid
  2. 2. D · A bluish-purple colour of the cervix, vagina and vulva
  3. 3. C · Surfactant deficiency
  4. 4. A · At about 36 to 37 weeks
  5. 5. B · To keep the bladder empty during surgery
  6. 6. A · A rise of about 10 to 15 beats per minute is normal in pregnancy
  7. 7. B · A quiet, dim room, swaddling and small, frequent feeds
  8. 8. C · Report it urgently as a possible sign of liver involvement or HELLP syndrome

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