Midwifery Practice Questions

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why choice A is correct: 1. Pregnancy can lead to severe anaemia due to increased demand for iron and folate. 2. Pregnancy-induced physiological changes can exacerbate malaria-related anaemia. 3. Severe jaundice may occur in pregnant women with malaria due to liver dysfunction. 4. These effects are common during pregnancy and can worsen with malaria infection. Summary of why other choices are incorrect: - Choice B: Blood smear positivity is not always guaranteed in malaria, and severe anaemia is not the only effect. - Choice C: Therapy limitations can occur, but the presence of few parasites in severe cases is not a defining feature. - Choice D: Loss of pregnancy can happen, but it is not a universal effect of malaria during pregnancy, and severity is not based on parasite count alone.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Achalasia is a motility disorder characterized by impaired esophageal peristalsis and lower esophageal sphincter relaxation. This dysfunction can lead to stagnant food in the esophagus, causing regurgitation and increased intra-esophageal pressure, which can trigger GERD. Squamous cell carcinoma (choice A) is not directly linked to achalasia. Esophageal atrophy (choice C) is not a typical consequence of achalasia. Malabsorption syndromes (choice D) are not directly associated with achalasia.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A (36 weeks gestation) because at this stage, the fetal lie should stabilize into a consistent position, typically longitudinal. Before 36 weeks, fetal movement and position can vary frequently. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they are past the point where fetal lie should have stabilized. At 42 weeks gestation (Choice B), the baby is considered post-term, and fetal lie should have already been established. Similarly, Choices C (38 weeks) and D (40 weeks) fall within the expected range for fetal lie stabilization.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Inadequate surfactant levels. Surfactant is a substance that reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing their collapse. In respiratory distress syndrome, premature infants have insufficient surfactant production, leading to collapsed alveoli and difficulty breathing. Choice A is incorrect because it focuses on quality rather than quantity of surfactant. Choice C is incorrect as rib cage underdevelopment is associated with congenital conditions like thoracic dystrophy, not RDS. Choice D is incorrect as gradual alveolar rupture is not a known cause of RDS.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Mauriceau-Smellie-Veit. This method involves flexing the hips, extending the thighs, and applying suprapubic pressure to deliver the head in a complete breech presentation. This technique helps to avoid hyperextension of the neck and potential spinal cord injury. The Lovset maneuver (A) is used for delivering the arms in a breech presentation. The Burns Marshall method (C) involves performing an episiotomy and delivering the baby by flexion and traction on the legs. Gentle traction of the neck (D) is not recommended as it can cause spinal cord injury. Mauriceau-Smellie-Veit is the preferred method for safe delivery of the head in a complete breech presentation.