In the fetal circulation, the ductus venosus carries blood from the:

Umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava

Right atrium to the left atrium

Internal iliac arteries to the placenta

Human placental lactogen (hPL) favours gestational diabetes because it:

Lowers the renal threshold for glucose

Blocks glucose transfer to the fetus

Destroys the pancreatic beta cells

A primigravida at 37 weeks says she can breathe more easily now but has to pass urine more often. The most likely reason is:

Lightening, with descent of the fetal head

Rising liquor volume (polyhydramnios)

Fetal development, physiology of pregnancy and antenatal care

30 Kerala PSC Staff Nurse Gr II practice questions on Fetal development, physiology of pregnancy and antenatal care, part of Midwifery and Gynaecological Nursing. The first 25 are below; the first 5 with answers and explanations (tap Show answer after you have chosen), the rest in Learn with a free account.

Question 1 · Medium
In the fetal circulation, the ductus venosus carries blood from the:
1. ARight atrium to the left atrium
2. BPulmonary artery to the aorta
3. CInternal iliac arteries to the placenta
4. DUmbilical vein to the inferior vena cava
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Answer: D · Umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava
The ductus venosus lets most of the oxygen-rich blood in the umbilical vein bypass the liver and enter the inferior vena cava. It closes after birth and becomes the ligamentum venosum. The ductus arteriosus links the pulmonary artery to the aorta. The foramen ovale lets blood pass from the right to the left atrium.
- A: Right to left atrium is the foramen ovale.
- B: Pulmonary artery to aorta is the ductus arteriosus.
- C: Blood reaches the placenta through the umbilical arteries.
Question 2 · Medium
Human placental lactogen (hPL) favours gestational diabetes because it:
1. ALowers the renal threshold for glucose
2. BBlocks glucose transfer to the fetus
3. COpposes the action of insulin
4. DDestroys the pancreatic beta cells
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Answer: C · Opposes the action of insulin
hPL from the syncytiotrophoblast rises as the placenta grows and makes maternal tissues resistant to insulin. This spares glucose for the fetus. Women whose pancreas cannot raise insulin output enough develop gestational diabetes, usually in the second half of pregnancy. That is why repeat screening around 24-28 weeks is advised.
- A: The lowered renal threshold causes glycosuria, not diabetes.
- B: hPL increases, not blocks, glucose available to the fetus.
- D: Beta-cell destruction is the mechanism of type 1 diabetes, not GDM.
Question 3 · Medium
A primigravida at 37 weeks says she can breathe more easily now but has to pass urine more often. The most likely reason is:
1. AOnset of active labour
2. BA new urinary tract infection
3. CLightening, with descent of the fetal head
4. DRising liquor volume (polyhydramnios)
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Answer: C · Lightening, with descent of the fetal head
Lightening occurs in primigravidae two to three weeks before term, as the head sinks into the pelvis. The fundus drops, easing pressure on the diaphragm, but the head now presses on the bladder. It is a normal sign of approaching labour. In multigravidae it may happen only once labour begins.
- A: Active labour needs regular painful contractions and cervical change.
- B: UTI does not explain easier breathing.
- D: Polyhydramnios would make breathing harder, not easier.
Question 4 · Easy
By recent SRS bulletins, which Indian state has the lowest maternal mortality ratio?
1. ATelangana
2. BTamil Nadu
3. CMaharashtra
4. DKerala
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Answer: D · Kerala
Kerala has had the lowest MMR among Indian states in recent SRS bulletins, well below the national figure. Near-universal institutional delivery, high female literacy and strong primary care explain this. Kerala's maternal death audits and quality-of-care protocols are often cited nationally. The other southern states and Maharashtra also do well but report higher ratios than Kerala.
- A: Telangana's MMR is higher than Kerala's.
- B: Tamil Nadu's MMR is low but higher than Kerala's.
- C: Maharashtra ranks close behind Kerala, not below it.
Question 5 · Easy
Hegar's sign, a probable sign of early pregnancy, is softening of the:
1. AExternal os of the cervix
2. BVaginal walls
3. CFundus of the uterus
4. DIsthmus of the uterus
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Answer: D · Isthmus of the uterus
Hegar's sign is elicited by bimanual examination between 6 and 10 weeks: the fingers seem almost to meet through the soft, compressible isthmus. It is a probable sign because a soft uterus can occur without pregnancy. Bluish discolouration of the vagina is Chadwick's sign. Softening of the cervix itself is Goodell's sign.
- A: Softening of the cervix is Goodell's sign.
- B: Bluish vaginal walls are Chadwick's sign, not Hegar's.
- C: The fundus is not the part assessed in Hegar's sign.
Question 6 · Easy
Organogenesis, when the embryo is most vulnerable to teratogens, takes place mainly during:
1. AThe last month of pregnancy
2. BWeeks 3 to 8 after fertilisation
3. CWeeks 20 to 28 of gestation
4. DThe first 2 weeks after fertilisation
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 7 · Hard
An Rh-negative woman at 28 weeks has a negative indirect Coombs test; her husband is Rh-positive. As recommended in Dutta, what should be done?
1. AGive anti-D immunoglobulin 300 µg IM now
2. BGive anti-D only after the baby is born
3. CRepeat the Coombs test; no anti-D needed
4. DPlan delivery at 34 weeks to avoid sensitisation
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 8 · Medium
Which complaint in a woman at 32 weeks needs urgent reporting to the doctor?
1. AAnkle swelling at the end of the day
2. BSevere headache with blurred vision
3. CLeg cramps at night
4. DHeartburn after meals
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 9 · Easy
Implantation of the blastocyst in the endometrium usually begins on about which day after fertilisation?
1. ADay 21
2. BDay 1 to 2
3. CDay 6 to 7
4. DDay 14
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 10 · Medium
Linea nigra and chloasma in pregnancy are mainly due to a rise in:
1. ARelaxin
2. BMelanocyte-stimulating hormone
3. CHuman placental lactogen
4. DThyroxine
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 11 · Easy
In a first pregnancy, the second dose of Td vaccine is given:
1. A1 week after the first dose
2. B6 months after the first dose
3. CAt the time of delivery
4. D4 weeks after the first dose
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 12 · Easy
According to Dutta, the uterine fundus reaches the level of the umbilicus at about:
1. A24 weeks
2. B12 weeks
3. C36 weeks
4. D16 weeks
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 13 · Medium
Before an abdominal (obstetric) examination, the woman is asked to empty her bladder because a full bladder:
1. ALeads to supine hypotensive syndrome
2. BTurns the fetus into a breech position
3. CRaises the fetal heart rate artificially
4. DHinders palpation and alters fundal height
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 14 · Easy
A normal umbilical cord contains:
1. AOne artery and two veins
2. BOne artery and one vein
3. CTwo arteries and two veins
4. DTwo arteries and one vein
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 15 · Medium
Pawlik's grip mainly helps the nurse to judge the:
1. ASide on which the fetal back lies
2. BFetal pole that occupies the fundus
3. CRate and rhythm of the fetal heart
4. DPresenting part and its mobility above the brim
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 16 · Medium
Which change in the blood is normal in pregnancy?
1. ARaised serum albumin
2. BRaised plasma fibrinogen
3. CFall in white cell count
4. DFall in ESR
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 17 · Easy
A healthy woman of normal BMI gains on average about how much weight during pregnancy?
1. A25-30 kg
2. B18-20 kg
3. C4-6 kg
4. D10-12 kg
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 18 · Hard
At 34 weeks, the fundal grip finds a hard, round, ballotable mass; the lateral grips find the back on the mother's right; Pawlik's grip finds a soft, broad, irregular mass. What is the presentation?
1. ABreech presentation
2. BTransverse lie
3. CCephalic presentation
4. DFace presentation
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 19 · Easy
The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is expressed per:
1. A100,000 total population
2. B1,000 pregnant women
3. C100,000 live births
4. D1,000 live births
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 20 · Easy
Under the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), free antenatal check-ups by a doctor are held on which day of every month?
1. A21st
2. B9th
3. C15th
4. D1st
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 21 · Hard
In one year a district records 18 maternal deaths and 24,000 live births. What is the district's maternal mortality ratio?
1. A75 per 100,000 live births
2. B750 per 100,000 live births
3. C0.75 per 100,000 live births
4. D7.5 per 100,000 live births
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 22 · Medium
The amniotic fluid index (AFI) on ultrasound at 34 weeks is 28 cm. This indicates:
1. ANormal liquor volume
2. BPolyhydramnios
3. COligohydramnios
4. DAnhydramnios
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 23 · Hard
A woman at 34 weeks has these findings: BP 110/70 mmHg, pulse 88/min, Hb 10.2 g/dL, trace glucose in urine, and ankle swelling only in the evening. Which finding needs treatment and follow-up?
1. APulse of 88/min
2. BTrace glucose in urine
3. CEvening ankle swelling
4. DHaemoglobin of 10.2 g/dL
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 24 · Hard
A woman at 36 weeks, with dates confirmed by an early scan, has a symphysis-fundal height of 30 cm. Fetal movements are present. What is the most appropriate next step?
1. APlan induction of labour the same day
2. BReassure her that the measurement is normal
3. CArrange an ultrasound for fetal growth and liquor
4. DAdvise extra food and recheck in four weeks
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 25 · Easy
The normal weight of the placenta at term is about:
1. A1500 g
2. B500 g
3. C1000 g
4. D200 g
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

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Study Midwifery and Gynaecological Nursing

Fetal development, physiology of pregnancy and antenatal care

In the fetal circulation, the ductus venosus carries blood from the:

Human placental lactogen (hPL) favours gestational diabetes because it:

A primigravida at 37 weeks says she can breathe more easily now but has to pass urine more often. The most likely reason is:

By recent SRS bulletins, which Indian state has the lowest maternal mortality ratio?

Hegar's sign, a probable sign of early pregnancy, is softening of the:

Organogenesis, when the embryo is most vulnerable to teratogens, takes place mainly during:

An Rh-negative woman at 28 weeks has a negative indirect Coombs test; her husband is Rh-positive. As recommended in Dutta, what should be done?

Which complaint in a woman at 32 weeks needs urgent reporting to the doctor?

Implantation of the blastocyst in the endometrium usually begins on about which day after fertilisation?

Linea nigra and chloasma in pregnancy are mainly due to a rise in:

In a first pregnancy, the second dose of Td vaccine is given:

According to Dutta, the uterine fundus reaches the level of the umbilicus at about:

Before an abdominal (obstetric) examination, the woman is asked to empty her bladder because a full bladder:

A normal umbilical cord contains:

Pawlik's grip mainly helps the nurse to judge the:

Which change in the blood is normal in pregnancy?

A healthy woman of normal BMI gains on average about how much weight during pregnancy?

At 34 weeks, the fundal grip finds a hard, round, ballotable mass; the lateral grips find the back on the mother's right; Pawlik's grip finds a soft, broad, irregular mass. What is the presentation?

The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is expressed per:

Under the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), free antenatal check-ups by a doctor are held on which day of every month?

In one year a district records 18 maternal deaths and 24,000 live births. What is the district's maternal mortality ratio?

The amniotic fluid index (AFI) on ultrasound at 34 weeks is 28 cm. This indicates:

A woman at 34 weeks has these findings: BP 110/70 mmHg, pulse 88/min, Hb 10.2 g/dL, trace glucose in urine, and ankle swelling only in the evening. Which finding needs treatment and follow-up?

A woman at 36 weeks, with dates confirmed by an early scan, has a symphysis-fundal height of 30 cm. Fetal movements are present. What is the most appropriate next step?

The normal weight of the placenta at term is about: