Prenatal Care Practice Questions

Question 1

A 26-year-old Caucasian G1 presents at 35 weeks gestation with mild vaginal bleeding. She reports no abdominal pain or uterine contractions. She received no prenatal care after 20 weeks gestation because she was traveling. Prior to the current pregnancy, she used oral contraception. At 22 years of age she underwent a cervical polypectomy. She has a 5 pack-year smoking history. The blood pressure is 115/70 mmHg, the heart rate is 88/min, the respiratory rate is 14/min, and the temperature is 36.7℃ (98℉). Abdominal palpation reveals no uterine tenderness or contractions. The fundus is palpable between the umbilicus and the xiphoid process. An ultrasound exam shows placental extension over the internal cervical os. Which of the following factors present in this patient is the risk factor for her condition?

Accepted Answer

Smoking

Answer

White race

Answer

History of cervical polyp

Answer

Intake of oral contraceptives

Answer

Nulliparity

Question 2

A 30-year-old woman, gravida 2, para 1, comes to the physician because she had a positive pregnancy test at home. During the last two weeks, she has had nausea and two episodes of non-bloody vomiting. She also reports increased urinary frequency. Her pregnancy and delivery of her first child were uncomplicated. Last year, she had two episodes of grand-mal seizure. She is sexually active with her husband and they use condoms inconsistently. She does not smoke or drink alcohol. She does not use illicit drugs. Current medications include valproic acid and a multivitamin. Her vital signs are within normal limits. Physical examination shows no abnormalities. A urine pregnancy test is positive. The child is at increased risk for requiring which of the following interventions?

Accepted Answer

Lower spinal surgery

Answer

Cochlear implantation

Answer

Kidney transplantation

Answer

Dental treatment

Answer

Respiratory support

Question 3

A 21-year-old gravida 1, para 0 woman presents to the family medicine clinic for her first prenatal appointment. She states that she has been taking folic acid supplements daily as directed by her mother. She smokes a few cigarettes a day and has done so for the last 5 years. Pediatric records indicate the patient is measles, mumps, and rubella non-immune. Her heart rate is 78/min, respiratory rate is 14/min, temperature is 36.5°C (97.7°F), and blood pressure is 112/70 mm Hg. Her calculated BMI is approximately 26 kg/m2.  Her heart is without murmurs and lung sounds are clear bilaterally. Standard prenatal testing is ordered. Which of the following is the next best step for this patient’s prenatal care?

Accepted Answer

MMR vaccine postpartum

Answer

MMR vaccine during pregnancy

Answer

Serology, then vaccine postpartum

Answer

Serology, then vaccine during pregnancy

Answer

MMR vaccine and immune globulin postpartum

Question 4

A 29-year-old G1P0 female at 32 weeks gestation presents to the emergency department with vaginal bleeding. She has had minimal prenatal care to-date with only an initial visit with an obstetrician after a positive home pregnancy test. She describes minimal spotting that she noticed earlier today that has progressed to larger amounts of blood; she estimates 30 mL of blood loss. She denies any cramping, pain, or contractions, and she reports feeling continued movements of the baby. Ultrasound and fetal heart rate monitoring confirm the presence of a healthy fetus without any evidence of current or impending complications. The consulted obstetrician orders blood testing for Rh-status of both the mother as well as the father, who brought the patient to the hospital. Which of the following represents the best management strategy for this situation?

Accepted Answer

If mother is Rh-negative and father is Rh-positive then administer RhoGAM

Answer

After 28 weeks gestation, administration of RhoGAM will have no benefit

Answer

If mother is Rh-positive and father is Rh-negative then administer RhoGAM

Answer

If mother is Rh-negative and father is Rh-negative then administer RhoGAM

Answer

If mother is Rh-negative and father is Rh-positive, RhoGAM administration is not needed

Question 5

A 35-year-old woman gravida 2, para 1, comes to the physician for her first prenatal visit. Pregnancy and delivery of her first child were uncomplicated. She is not sure about the date of her last menstrual period. Pelvic examination shows a uterus consistent in size with a 10-week gestation. An ultrasound examination confirms the gestational age and shows one fetus with no indication of multiple gestations. During counseling on pregnancy risks and possible screening and diagnostic tests, the patient states she would like to undergo screening for Down syndrome. She would prefer immediate and secure screening with a low risk to herself and the fetus. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management at this time?

Accepted Answer

Cell-free fetal DNA testing

Answer

Nuchal translucency, pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A, human chorionic gonadotropin

Answer

Maternal serum α-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin, unconjugated estriol, and inhibin A

Answer

Chorionic villus sampling

Answer

Amniocentesis

Question 6

A 28-year-old male presents to his primary care physician with complaints of intermittent abdominal pain and alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea. His medical chart is not significant for any past medical problems or prior surgeries. He is not prescribed any current medications. Which of the following questions would be the most useful next question in eliciting further history from this patient?

Accepted Answer

"Can you tell me more about the symptoms you have been experiencing?"

Answer

"Does the diarrhea typically precede the constipation, or vice-versa?"

Answer

"Is the diarrhea foul-smelling?"

Answer

"Please rate your abdominal pain on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the worst pain of your life"

Answer

"Are the symptoms worse in the morning or at night?"

Question 7

A 32-year-old woman, gravida 2, para 1, at 32 weeks' gestation comes to the physician for a prenatal visit. She reports that she has had frequent headaches and dizziness recently. Pregnancy and delivery of her first child were uncomplicated. There is no personal or family history of serious illness. Medications include folic acid and a multivitamin. Her temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), pulse is 90/min, and blood pressure is 170/100 mm Hg. Pelvic examination shows a uterus consistent in size with a 32-week gestation. Physical examination shows 2+ edema in the lower extremities. Laboratory studies show:
Hematocrit 37%
Leukocyte count 9000/mm3
Platelet count 60,000/mm3
Serum
Na+ 140 mEq/L
Cl- 104 mEq/L
K+ 4.4 mEq/L
Creatinine 1.0 mg/dL
Aspartate aminotransferase 20 U/L
Alanine aminotransferase 20 U/L
Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

Accepted Answer

Magnesium sulfate and labetalol therapy

Answer

Lisinopril therapy

Answer

Platelet transfusion

Answer

Perform C-section

Answer

Admit the patient to the ICU

Question 8

A 28-year-old G2P1 female is concerned that she may give birth to another child with Down syndrome. She states that she may not be able to take care of another child with this disorder. Which of the following tests can confirm the diagnosis of Down syndrome in utero?

Accepted Answer

Amniocentesis

Answer

Ultrasound

Answer

Triple marker test

Answer

Integrated test

Answer

Quadruple marker test

Question 9

A 29-year-old G1P0 presents to her obstetrician for her first prenatal care visit at 12 weeks gestation by last menstrual period. She states that her breasts are very tender and swollen, and her exercise endurance has declined. She otherwise feels well. She is concerned about preterm birth, as she heard that certain cervical procedures increase the risk. The patient has a gynecologic history of loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) for cervical dysplasia several years ago and has had negative Pap smears since then. She also has mild intermittent asthma that is well controlled with occasional use of her albuterol inhaler. At this visit, this patient’s temperature is 98.6°F (37.0°C), pulse is 69/min, blood pressure is 119/61 mmHg, and respirations are 13/min. Cardiopulmonary exam is unremarkable, and the uterine fundus is just palpable at the pelvic brim. Pelvic exam reveals normal female external genitalia, a closed and slightly soft cervix, a 12-week-size uterus, and no adnexal masses. Which of the following is the best method for evaluating for possible cervical incompetence in this patient?

Accepted Answer

Transvaginal ultrasound at 18 weeks gestation

Answer

Transabdominal ultrasound in the first trimester

Answer

Transvaginal ultrasound in the first trimester

Answer

Serial transvaginal ultrasounds starting at 16 weeks gestation

Answer

Transabdominal ultrasound at 18 weeks gestation

Question 10

A 26-year-old woman presents to the women’s health clinic with a 9-week delay in menses. The patient has a history of grand mal seizures, and was recently diagnosed with acute sinusitis. She is prescribed lamotrigine and amoxicillin. The patient smokes one-half pack of cigarettes every day for 10 years, and drinks socially a few weekends every month. Her mother died of breast cancer when she was 61 years old. The vital signs are stable during the current office visit. Physical examination is grossly normal. The physician orders a urine beta-hCG that comes back positive. Abdominal ultrasound shows an embryo consistent in dates with the first day of last menstrual period. Given the history of the patient, which of the following would most likely decrease congenital malformations in the newborn?

Accepted Answer

Folic acid supplementation

Answer

Decrease alcohol consumption

Answer

Switching to cephalexin

Answer

Smoking cessation

Answer

Switching to another antiepileptic medication

Prenatal Care

Study Resources

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Lessons

Routine prenatal visit schedule

Nutrition in pregnancy

Weight gain recommendations

Exercise in pregnancy

Medication safety in pregnancy

Immunizations in pregnancy

Management of common pregnancy complaints

Fetal growth assessment

Fetal movement monitoring

Antepartum fetal surveillance (NST, BPP)

Anemia in pregnancy

Travel during pregnancy

Patient education topics

Practice Questions

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About Prenatal Care for USMLE

Lessons in Prenatal Care

Master Prenatal Care