Midwifery Exam Questions

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because pressure applied on the cervix by the presenting part in obstructed labor leads to edema of the vulva. This pressure causes obstruction of blood and lymphatic flow in the area, resulting in swelling and edema. Prolonged effort by the mother (choice A) would not directly cause vulvar edema. An ill-fitting presenting part (choice C) may contribute to obstruction but does not explain the mechanism of edema. Large presenting diameters (choice D) stretching the vulva would not directly cause edema without pressure on the cervix.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Oligohydramnios. Oligohydramnios, which is low levels of amniotic fluid, can lead to reduced cushioning in the uterus, allowing the fetus to assume abnormal positions like shoulder presentation. Macerated fetus (choice A) is related to prolonged fetal death, not shoulder presentation. Postdates pregnancy (choice B) may increase the risk of complications but is not a direct cause of shoulder presentation. Placenta abruption (choice D) is the premature separation of the placenta, which can lead to fetal distress but is not specifically linked to shoulder presentation.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Descent, engagement, flexion, internal rotation. In left occipito-posterior position, the fetus descends into the pelvis, engages in the maternal pelvis, undergoes flexion to fit through the birth canal, and internally rotates to align with the pelvis for delivery. Choice B (Extension, engagement, internal rotation, external rotation) is incorrect because extension is not typically seen in occipito-posterior positions. Choice C (Flexion, descent, external rotation) is incorrect because external rotation is not part of the mechanism in this position. Choice D (Descent, engagement, extension) is incorrect because extension is not typically seen in this position.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The engaging diameter in a face presentation is the sub-mento vertical diameter. This is the correct answer because it represents the distance from the tip of the chin (mentum) to the highest point on the skull (vertex), which is the most critical diameter for the face to descend through the pelvis during childbirth. Choice B (Sub-mento bregmatic diameter) is incorrect because it represents the distance from the tip of the chin to the anterior fontanelle, not the highest point on the skull. Choice C (Mento vertical diameter) is incorrect because it refers to the distance from the chin to the base of the skull, not the highest point on the skull. Choice D (Sub-occipito bregmatic diameter) is incorrect because it represents the distance from the base of the skull to the anterior fontanelle, not involving the chin.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Wernicke's encephalopathy. Hyperemesis gravidarum is severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Wernicke's encephalopathy is a neurological complication due to thiamine deficiency, which can occur in severe cases of vomiting, leading to impaired brain function. Sheehan's syndrome is a complication of postpartum pituitary necrosis. Maurice encephalitis is a fictional term not related to this context. Antepartum bleeding is not a typical complication of hyperemesis gravidarum. Therefore, the correct answer is A due to the potential neurological impact of severe vomiting on thiamine levels.