5. Labor, birth and immediate postpartum (136-240) Flashcards
136 . Which of the following statements about Methergine is not true?
a) Methergine tablets can be given every 6-8 hours.
b) The correct dose for Methergine IM is 0.2 mg.
c) Methergine should not be administered IV.
d) Methergine IM can be given every 2-4 hours.
C
137 . When examining a newborn’s ears, which of these would you hope to see?
a) Top of pina level with or slightly below the corner of the baby’s eyes.
b) Placement different on either side.
c) Top of pina level with or slightly above the corner of the baby’s eyes.
d) Ears are posteriorly rotated.
C
138 . During a newborn exam, you note what feels like sagittal synostosis. What does this mean, and what is the likely outcome?
a) The sagittal suture appears closed. The likely outcome is that the head will grow long and narrow, but the brain will likely grow to the normal size.
b) The sagittal suture appears closed. The likely outcome is that the head will grow tall and thin, and the brain is unlikely to have sufficient space to grow to its usual size.
c) The sagittal suture appears wide. The likely outcome is that this will have no significant effect on head or brain growth.
d) The sagittal suture appears wide. The likely outcome is that there will be significant cognitive delays, as this condition is strongly associated with congenital CNS disorders.
A
139 . Which of the following is not an indication for active management of the third stage?
a) Primipara
b) History of PPH
c) Precipitous labor
d) Prolonged labor
A
140 . Which of the following observations about the neonatal chest is abnormal, as opposed to a variation of normal?
a) Structural depression of the sternum
b) Breasts enlarged and excrete milk-like substance
c) Nipples near mid-clavicular line rather than widely spaced
d) Accessory nipples
C
141 . Nasal flaring, grunting, chest retractions and circumoral cyanosis are all signs of what condition?
a) Respiratory distress syndrome
b) Cardiac shunting
c) Transient tachypnea of the newborn
d) Patent foramen ovale
A
142 . When assessing gestational age of a neonate using the New Ballard Scale, there are two sections, namely physical maturity (e.g. skin, lanugo) and what else?
a) Sex maturity, e.g. breast buds, genitals.
b) Palmar and plantar maturity: e.g. creases on hands, feet.
c) Neuromuscular maturity, e.g. posture, arm recoil.
d) Sensory organ maturity, e.g. eye, ear.
C
143 . You want to check a neonate’s visual tracking. Which of these methods is not a valid way for checking this?
a) Move an object caudally out of the field of view and look to see if the neonate lifts their head to follow it.
b) Turn the neonate’s head to the side and look to see if the eyes move to the opposite side.
c) Move a light from right to left and look to see if the eyes track it.
d) Move a finger laterally out of the field of view and look to see if the eyes follow it.
A
144 . Which of the following is not an accurate description of a suture stitch?
a) Mattress/subcuticular: drive the needle horizontally immediately below the skin for approximately 0.5 cm, exiting on the same side of the tear that it entered, the needle holder is switched to the other hand, and a stitch made on the opposite side of the tear, again horizontally, with the entry point directly across from the exit point of the preceding stitch. This is repeated.
b) Continuous/running: pronate the hand so the needle is at least perpendicular to the surface, and supinate the hand to drive it through the two sides of the laceration, perpendicular to the tear. Bring the needle out without passing through a loop of suture. Repeat 1 cm further along the tear.
c) Blanket/continuous locked: pronate the hand so the needle is at least perpendicular to the surface, and supinate the hand to drive it through the two sides of the laceration, perpendicular to the tear. Bring the needle out without passing through a loop of suture. Create a loop in the long end of the suture, and use this and the loop from the preceding stitch to tie off the stitch. Repeat 1 cm further along the tear, without cutting the suture.
d) Interrupted: pronate the hand so the needle is at least perpendicular to the surface, and supinate the hand to drive it through the two sides of the laceration, perpendicular to the tear. Perform a hand or instrument tie, and trim the ends.
C
145 . The neonate you just caught is not breathing, so you start to stimulate it. Which of these do you not try?
a) Gently shake the neonate.
b) Briefly rub the neonatal back, trunk or extremities.
c) Warming, positioning, clearing secretions (if needed) and drying the neonate.
d) Flick or pinch the soles of the feet.
A
146 . How would a placenta normally be expelled if it begins to separate centrally?
a) Shultz
b) Fetal side, membranes preceding.
c) Maternal side, membranes trailing.
d) Duncan
A
147 . Prior to birth, your client had decided to refuse Vitamin K for their newborn, but the birth was quite traumatic, and they’re now revisiting the decision. Which of these is not accurate information?
a) IM administration is more effective than oral, even if the recommended schedule is followed. However, the oral route should be recommended for high risk babies if parents decline the IM route.
b) The solution is clear to slightly opalescent and pale yellow. If the contents are turbid or separated, discard.
c) The IM dose is a single dose of 0.5 or 1mg within an hour of birth. Oral dose recommendations vary, but one recommended schedule is 2mg within an hour of birth, repeated at 4-7 days and at 1 month. In exclusively formula-fed babies, the third dose can be omitted.
d) There is a clearly documented increase in rates of leukemia with administration of IM Vitamin K.
D
148 . You’re performing a newborn exam after the Golden Hour, and have already looked at the baby’s head, neck, chest, abdomen and upper and lower extremities, palpating and listening as appropriate. You then turn the newborn over, and discover a small hole over the spine. What does this signify, and what action should you take?
a) This signifies a neural tube defect, and the parents should be told that 35% of babies with this condition die before 10 years of age. Immediate transport is required.
b) This signifies a neural tube defect, and should be brought to the attention of the baby’s pediatrician at their initial appointment.
c) This signifies spina bifida, but a small hole is not associated with particularly poor outcomes, and referral to a pediatrician at some stage in the early weeks postpartum is appropriate.
d) This signifies spina bifida, which can lead to major infections such as meningitis. Transport is appropriate.
D
149 . When palpating the uterus after third stage, what finding is encouraging?
a) Fundus is firm and 2 cm above umbilicus.
b) Fundus is firm and below the umbilicus.
c) Fundus is firm and globular and displaced laterally.
d) Fundus is intermittently firm and soft.
B
150 . When your client arrives in active labor, you palpate her abdomen to find that the fetus is poorly-engaged and is ROT. You listen for FHT for some time, but find none. You gently tell your client of your findings, and discuss options regarding transferring to the hospital or having a birth at the birth center. Your client has questions about legal procedure. Which of the following is true?
a) It is not compulsory that a death certificate be signed.
b) The only person who can sign a death certificate is a physician.
c) The coroner will perform an autopsy in all cases of stillbirth.
d) You will need to inform the coroner of a stillbirth.
D
151 . When examining the neonatal neck, which of the following is an abnormal finding?
a) The head and neck flex laterally approximately 60 degrees to move the head towards the shoulder.
b) Lateral flexion and contralateral rotation.
c) When the head is turned to the side, the arm on that side stretches out and the opposite arm bends up at the elbow.
d) The head and neck rotate past the shoulder to approximately 110 degrees from the midline.
B
152 . Nafula (G1) has had a long and tiring labor, and regression of the fetal head between contractions has been very discouraging to her. Finally, the head is born, but again retracts against the perineum. It isn’t restituting and rapidly becomes a dark purple color. Which of these do you not try?
a) Flex fetal shoulders and then corkscrew, possibly with suprapubic pressure down and towards the side that adducts the fetal shoulder impacting upon the symphysis pubis.
b) Reposition shoulders to oblique diameter and extract posterior arm, if it is within reach, sweeping the arm across the baby’s face.
c) Fundal pressure while encouraging hard pushing and assisting with traction that is strong enough to deliver the impacted shoulder.
d) Reposition Nafula, e.g. to hands and knees, running start, McRobert’s, a squat or to the end of the bed.
C
153 . You’re assessing a neonate’s respiratory and cardiac function and note nasal flaring. On closer inspection, you can see that the left side of the chest is more prominent than the right, and think you can hear hyperresonance on percussion of the left anterior chest. Auscultation reveals reduced breath sounds on the left. What do you suspect, and what do you do?
a) A pneumothorax. Give blow-by oxygen and monitor closely. If nasal flaring does not improve within 30 minutes, or the neonate’s vital signs become out of normal range, transport.
b) The lung contains amniotic fluid. Use a DeLee to suction the lung and listen again. If this does not solve the issue or if nasal flaring continues, transport.
c) A pneumothorax. Transport the neonate.
d) The lung contains amniotic fluid. This is normal, and should be absorbed into the lung soon. Listen again before leaving.
C
154 . The newborn has a persistent weak cry. Which of the following statements is not correct?
a) This can be a sign of postmaturity. Transport.
b) This is an abnormal cry.
c) This could be a sign of a depressed or ill infant, or of the presence of hypoglycemia.
d) Monitor closely. If there are signs of respiratory distress, prolonged hypoglycemia, jitteriness or lethargy, transport.
A
155 . Nella has been laboring for about 4 hours when her membranes rupture. She begins spontaneously pushing, and you see the sacrum bulging at the perineum a few minutes later. Which of the following is not accurate?
a) The birth of the head must be completed within approximately 5 minutes of birth to the umbilicus.
b) The fetal head must be flexed when it enters the pelvis.
c) You should ensure the umbilical cord is not pulled taught, and can gently pull a little slack if it is.
d) As soon as the shoulders are born, you should gently lift the baby towards Nella’s abdomen to birth the face.
D
156 . Which of the following statements about palmar surface creases of the foot is not accurate?
a) The timing of development of foot creases during gestation varies somewhat among races.
b) Abnormal creases are a sign of chromosomal anomaly, rather than a congenital deformity.
c) Until 36 weeks, there are only one or two transverse skin creases in the anterior part, with the posterior two thirds smooth.
d) A deep plantar crease between the first and second metatarsal is associated with Down’s Syndrome and other genetic disorders.
B
157 . Nancy has been in active labor for 13 hours, and has been in the birth pool for about 30 minutes. You’ve been assessing FHT every 20 minutes, and the chart records the last 8 checks as: 136-144, 132-144, 128-140, 140-148, 136-146 and 146-152. When you check again now, you find FHR at 156-166 bpm. What action do you suggest, if any?
a) Ask Nancy to drink a few more sips of cool coconut water. Check FHR again in 10 minutes.
b) This is normal variation as birth nears, and no action is needed. Check FHR again in 20 minutes.
c) Check the temperature of the pool. If you suspect it is too warm, either cool it down or ask Nancy to get out the pool for a while so she can cool down. Check FHR again in 10 minutes.
d) Put a cool washcloth on Nancy’s head and replace it every few minutes. Check FHR again in 20 minutes.
C
158 . You’re performing a newborn exam on a baby where the mother called you late and birth occurred shortly before you arrived. You’re looking at the molding of the neonate’s head to try to work out the position the baby had been in during labor. The skull is contracted in the suboccipitobregmatic diameter, and extended in the mentovertical diameter. Which position does this suggest?
a) Persistent occipito-posterior position
b) Brow presentation
c) Well-flexed occipito-anterior position
d) Face presentation
C
159 . The newborn has a normal-sounding but persistent cry. Which of the following is an inaccurate statement?
a) If the crying does not resolve, suspect prolonged abnormal irritability (also called colic). Parents should be reassured that this is normal, albeit difficult to deal with.
b) If the neonate becomes cyanotic with crying, suspect a cardiopulmonary issue and transport.
c) Have the neonate lie skin-to-skin, dim lights and quiet the room.
d) May be a sign of pain. Look for areas of bruising or swelling and aim to avoid contact with them. Apply arnica gel.
A