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DHA Maternal & Newborn Nursing Practice Questions
Maternal and newborn questions cover pregnancy, labour, postpartum care and the newborn, with a focus on obstetric emergencies. Below are 5 free sample questions for the DHA Registered Nurse exam, each with the answer and a rationale.
What this topic covers
- Antenatal care and danger signs
- Pre-eclampsia and magnesium sulfate
- Placenta praevia vs abruption
- Fetal heart rate monitoring
- Postpartum haemorrhage
- Newborn assessment and Apgar
The full bank has 100 maternal & newborn nursing questions, part of 1,500 questions across 16 nursing topics.
Free DHA maternal & newborn nursing questions
1. At approximately 20 weeks of gestation, where should the nurse expect to palpate the uterine fundus?
- A. At the level of the umbilicus
- B. Midway between the symphysis pubis and the umbilicus
- C. At the xiphoid process
- D. Just above the symphysis pubis
Show answer and rationale
The fundus reaches the umbilicus at about 20 weeks. It is just above the symphysis at about 12 weeks, midway to the umbilicus at about 16 weeks, and near the xiphoid at about 36 weeks.
Reference: Maternal-newborn nursing – fundal height
2. A newborn has soft swelling of the scalp that crosses the suture lines and was present at birth. What is this most likely to be?
- A. Cephalhaematoma
- B. Hydrocephalus
- C. Craniosynostosis
- D. Caput succedaneum
Show answer and rationale
Caput succedaneum is oedema of the scalp from pressure during birth; it is present at birth, crosses suture lines and resolves within days. A cephalhaematoma is bleeding under the periosteum, so it does not cross suture lines and often appears hours after birth.
Reference: Maternal-newborn nursing – newborn assessment
3. Which factor in a patient's history increases her risk of placental abruption?
- A. Blood group O positive
- B. First pregnancy at age 22
- C. One previous uncomplicated vaginal birth
- D. Cocaine use during pregnancy
Show answer and rationale
Cocaine causes vasoconstriction and sudden hypertension, making it a well-known risk factor for abruption, along with hypertension, abdominal trauma and smoking. The other factors do not increase the risk.
Reference: Maternal-newborn nursing – placental abruption
4. After being warmed, dried and stimulated, a newborn is not breathing and has a heart rate of 80 bpm. What should the nurse do next?
- A. Continue drying and stimulating for 2 more minutes
- B. Begin positive-pressure ventilation
- C. Give epinephrine
- D. Start chest compressions
Show answer and rationale
If a newborn is apnoeic, gasping or has a heart rate below 100 bpm after the initial steps, positive-pressure ventilation should start within the first minute of life. Compressions are only indicated if the heart rate stays below 60 bpm despite effective ventilation.
Reference: AHA/AAP Neonatal Resuscitation 2020
5. A patient receiving magnesium sulfate has a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min and absent patellar reflexes. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Place the patient in the Trendelenburg position
- B. Stop the magnesium sulfate infusion
- C. Increase the rate of the magnesium sulfate infusion
- D. Document the findings and reassess in one hour
Show answer and rationale
The first action for suspected magnesium toxicity is to stop the infusion so no more drug is given; the nurse then calls for help, supports breathing and gives calcium gluconate as prescribed. Waiting or continuing the infusion puts the patient at risk of respiratory arrest.
Reference: Standard nursing pharmacology – magnesium sulfate
Study tip
For postpartum haemorrhage, the first nursing action is usually fundal massage. Know the '4 Ts' causes.
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