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

The anterior fontanelle of a newborn is:

  1. ARound, at the base of the skull
  2. BClosed at birth in a term baby
  3. CDiamond-shaped, where the frontal and parietal bones meet
  4. DTriangular, where the parietal and occipital bones meet
2.Easy

What is the typical head circumference of a term newborn?

  1. AAbout 40 to 43 cm
  2. BAbout 25 to 28 cm
  3. CAbout 33 to 35 cm
  4. DAbout 20 to 23 cm
3.Easy

The darkened line that may appear from the umbilicus to the pubis in pregnancy is called:

  1. AChloasma
  2. BLinea nigra
  3. CStriae gravidarum
  4. DSpider naevi
4.Medium

Contractions start at 10:00, 10:04 and 10:08, and each lasts 60 seconds. How should the nurse describe them?

  1. AEvery 4 minutes, lasting 60 seconds
  2. BEvery 3 minutes, lasting 60 seconds
  3. CEvery 5 minutes, lasting 60 seconds
  4. DEvery 4 minutes, lasting 240 seconds
5.Medium

A woman at 37 weeks is GBS-positive. When should she receive antibiotics?

  1. AIntravenously during labour
  2. BOrally at 37 weeks only
  3. COnly to the baby after birth
  4. DNot at all, because GBS is normal flora
6.Medium

Why is it important to do newborn bloodspot screening at the recommended time rather than in the first hours?

  1. AEarlier testing always gives false negatives for all conditions
  2. BThe baby's blood cannot be sampled before day 3
  3. CThe heel cannot be pricked until the cord falls off
  4. DSome results, such as PKU, need milk feeds first
7.Hard

Why does the ductus arteriosus normally close after birth?

  1. AThe cord is cut, which closes it directly
  2. BRising prostaglandins and falling oxygen levels
  3. CPressure in the pulmonary artery rises
  4. DRising oxygen levels and falling prostaglandins
8.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. BGiving naloxone to reverse the opioids
  3. CWithholding feeds until the symptoms settle
  4. DA quiet, dim room, swaddling and small, frequent feeds

Answer key

  1. 1. C · Diamond-shaped, where the frontal and parietal bones meet
  2. 2. C · About 33 to 35 cm
  3. 3. B · Linea nigra
  4. 4. A · Every 4 minutes, lasting 60 seconds
  5. 5. A · Intravenously during labour
  6. 6. D · Some results, such as PKU, need milk feeds first
  7. 7. D · Rising oxygen levels and falling prostaglandins
  8. 8. D · A quiet, dim room, swaddling and small, frequent feeds

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