ABSTRACT
A. has a birth prevalence in the region of 1.4 per 1000 in England and Wales
B. can be diagnosed using the triple test C. can be found in mosaic form D. is associated with oligohydramnios E. is associated with a higher rate of miscarriage than in
pregnancies with a normal karyotype
A. the progesterone only pill (POP) has a role B. oral methods should be administered within 24 hours C. is available as an ‘over the counter’ preparation D. the intrauterine device has a role E. requires no follow-up visit
A. is associated with pre-term labour B. is commonly due to staphylococci C. acute pyelonephritis is associated with intrauterine growth
retardation D. is more common with a transverse lie E. may present with vomiting
A. screening for immunity should be discussed with every pregnant woman when first seen in the antenatal clinic and sampling for rubella antibodies advised
B. is associated with recurrent miscarriage C. is associated with the greatest incidence of congenital
malformations when the infection occurs during the second trimester
D. is indicated by a rising titre of rubella-specific IgM levels following recent infection
E. is associated with a neural tube defect in the fetus
A. hepatitis B B. toxoplasmosis C. cytomegalovirus D. measles E. parvovirus
A. thalassaemia minor may be suspected on a blood film B. it most commonly occurs in women of African origin C. the carrier rate in the UK is approximately 1 in 10,000 D. a woman with p -thalassaemia minor can be reassured that the
baby will be healthy E. thalassaemia trait increases the likelihood of pre-eclampsia
A. can be used to treat endometriosis B. rarely cause side-effects C. can be administered orally D. are inexpensive preparations E. act principally at the uterine level
A. IMB occurs in about 10% of normal menstrual cycles B. laparoscopy should be included as part of the investigation C. a luteal phase progesterone is essential D. IMB may be associated with ovulation E. IMB is a feature of cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia
A. increased incidence of endometrial carcinoma B. pelvic inflammatory disease C. benign ovarian cysts D. hypotension E. increased risk of ovarian carcinoma
A. may be preceded with a labour during which back pain is a prominent feature
B. can be achieved using a Silastic ventouse cup C. can be safely attempted when two-fifths of the fetal head are
palpable per abdomen D. can correct a deep transverse arrest E. should be attempted with a fetal pH of 7.12
n. In pregnancy, ultrasound A. can diagnose fetal ascites B. anomaly scanning is usually carried out in the second trimester of
pregnancy C. can establish fetal maturity at 34 weeks gestation D. can diagnose a cleft lip E. is able to identify the fertilized ovum, prior to implantation
A. alcohol B. methyldopa C. warfarin D. aminoglycosides E. phenytoin
A. may be caused by chlamydial infection B. is a common finding in pelvic endometriosis C. when caused by infection most commonly ascends from the lower
genital tract D. may follow appendicitis E. can be assessed using transvaginal ultrasound
A. may cause blindness in the baby of an infected mother B. is diagnosed by taking a high vaginal swab C. may cause perihepatitis D. may cause penile discharge E. is caused by a Gram-positive diplococcus
A. always use a spermicide B. sterilize the diaphragm prior to insertion C. the diaphragm cannot be used at the same time as the sheath D. refitting of the diaphragm is required after childbirth E. the diaphragm must be left in place for at least 6 hours following
intercourse
A. sickle cell disorders are most common in women of Asian origin B. a sickle cell crisis can be precipitated in conditions of heightened
oxygen tension C. sickle cell disorders are associated with an increased incidence of
hypertension during pregnancy D. sickle cell disease results from a variant on the alpha globin chain E. partner screening is recommended during the second trimester
A. are unnecessary in the patient who complains of stress incontinence
B. can be conducted before excluding urinary infection C. cystometry measures the pressure/volume relationship of the
bladder during filling and voiding D. could usefully include ultrasonography E. if normal, should show a bladder capacity of 250 ml
A. is usually expressed as the rate per thousand total births over 1 year
B. is attributable to congenital malformations in 50% of cases C. in England and Wales is higher in those whose mother was born
in Pakistan than those whose mother was born in the West Indies D. falls with social class E. is lowest in mothers aged between 18 and 20 years
A. ideally should be continued for 12 hours B. carries the risk of maternal pulmonary oedema C. is usually initiated with oral therapy D. may be employed beyond 34 weeks gestation E. is exclusively a role for /ff-sympathomimetics
A. are malignant in the presence of ascites B. include benign teratomas C. of germ cell origin may secrete hormones D. may be confused with developmental abnormalities of the renal
tract E. if malignant can be reliably staged pre-operatively
A. lactation is successfully suppressed by demand feeding to empty the engorged breasts
B. colostrum is secreted for seven days after the birth C. bromocryptine promotes milk production D. lactation will fall in Sheehan’s syndrome E. the staphylococcus organism is associated with puerperal mastitis
A. an anaesthetist is essential to assist in the management of the patient
B. initial cross-matching of 3 units of blood is sufficient C. bimanual uterine compression has a role D. uncross-matched O rhesus-positive blood may be given in an
emergency E. bilateral uterine artery ligation may be necessary
A. is abnormal bleeding that occurs 12 hours post-partum B. may be due to infection C. cannot be controlled by uterine contracting agents D. occurs following 5% of births E. can usually be diagnosed by ultrasound examination of the pelvic
organs
A. resuscitation in some form is required by approximately one-third of babies
B. the Apgar score is recorded at delivery C. resuscitation will be required if the fetal heart rate is persistently
90 beats a minute D. meconium seen in the posterior pharynx and larynx is an
indication for intubation E. naloxone can be given safely to all infants
A. a classification system exists to determine the mortality risk B. involvement of the aorta in Marfan’s syndrome increases the
mortality C. the fetus has an increased risk of congenital heart disease D. mitral stenosis is an infrequent complication following rheumatic
heart disease E. women with primary pulmonary hypertension should be advised
against pregnancy
A. maternal glycosylated haemoglobin B. a Kleihauer blood test C. a platelet count D. blood pressure measurement E. antinuclear antibody estimation
A. includes an assessment of fetal breathing B. has a score with a maximum value of 12 C. includes an assessment of fetal heart rate reactivity D. does not take note of amnio tic fluid volume E. includes an assessment of fetal tone and posture
A. may have no associated vaginal bleeding B. is an indication for delivery C. has a higher incidence with maternal cocaine abuse D. may be identified using ultrasound by demonstrating
retroplacental clot E. can be readily distinguished from acute appendicitis
A. may employ a metal cup B. has increased in popularity with electronic pumps C. can be used safely in the absence of criteria necessary for a
forceps delivery D. requires the patient to be in the lithotomy position E. may be performed in conjunction with a pudendal block
A. can be caused by placenta praevia B. can be caused by a lower segment uterine fibroid C. is associated with incorrect pregnancy dating D. is an indication for a Caesarean section E. has a higher incidence in patients of African origin
1. A - T
B - F
C - T D - F
E - T
this figure translates into approximately 970 affected births annually the triple test only gives a risk for the likely incidence of Down's syndrome being present at term, in an individual pregnancy. Diagnosis requires karyotyping mosaicism accounts for 1-2% of Down's cases polyhydramnios is found, in association with duodenal atresia fetal wastage is more common with all types of chromosomal abnormalities
2, A - F the POP is not used in this context as its principle mechanism of action is thickening of cervical mucus and prevention of sperm penetration
B - F the combination of oestrogen and progesterone (Yuzpe) method should be administered within 72 hours
C - F a prescription is required D - T following adequate counselling the intrauterine
contraceptive device may be fitted within 5 days of the episode of unprotected intercourse
E - F follow-up is necessary to detect the method failures (approximately 10%), and to ensure adequate contraceptive measures are being taken
3 . A - T uterine activity can be precipitated by urinary infection and should always be screened for and treated in the patient who presents with symptoms and/or signs of pre-term labour
B - F this organism is unusual, the most common bacterium found is Escherichia coli
C - T this association, together with the risks of pre-term labour and delivery, are the indication for hospitalization and intravenous antibiotic therapy to treat acute pyelonephritis
D - F there is no known, statistically proven, association with fetal lie
E - T a variety of non-specific symptoms may be present, such as nausea, vomiting, fever and abdominal pain
Additionally, all women who lack rubella antibodies should be identified and offered post-natal vaccination
B - F a pregnancy during which primary rubella infection is contracted has a higher incidence of miscarriage. Thereafter rubella immunity is developed and protects a subsequent pregnancy from this complication
C - F first-trimester infection has the most devastating consequences, with in excess of 80% of fetuses affected
D - T detection of rising IgM titres is used for diagnostic purposes. Rubella-specific IgM is demonstrable for up to 8 weeks after the onset of the rash
E - F a variety of defects including cataracts, chorioretinitis, micropthalmia, glaucoma, deafness, microcephaly and mental retardation but not neural tube defects are associated with congenital rubella infection
5, A - F there is no known association. However, infants born to hepatitis B surface-antigen-positive women should be given hepatitis B immunoglobulin and active immunization shortly after delivery
B - T toxoplasmosis infection is associated with fetal intracranial calcification, microcephaly, hydrocephaly and hepatosplenomegaly
C - T cytomegalovirus can result in hepatosplenomegaly, microcephaly, hyperbilirubinaemia, petechiae and thrombocytopenia
D - F measles during pregnancy is not generally associated with an increased fetal death rate, although placental damage from the infection has been implicated in stillbirths
E - T parvovirus B19 infection is a known cause of non-immune hydrops fetalis
6 . A - T red blood cells of sufferers are small with a low mean cell volume and low mean cell haemoglobin
B - F thalassaemia has a worldwide distribution, but is concentrated in a broad band encompassing the Mediterranean and Middle East
C - T the carrier rate of approximately 1 in 10,000 in the UK
can be compared with a carrier rate of 1 in 7 in Cyprus D - F depending on the carrier status of the mother’s
partner, the fetus may have a normal haemoglobin, thalassaemia minor or thalassaemia major. Therefore, no such reassurance can be given
E - F there is no known association
7 . A - T
B - F
C - F
D - F
E - F
LHRH analogues have proved to be successful therapy for endometriosis in a number of controlled trials side-effects, similar to those experienced by women during the menopause, are commonly experienced by women in receipt of LHRH analogue treatment the polypeptide structure of the LHRH analogues makes them inappropriate for oral administration. Parenteral routes, including the nasal route, injection and depot preparations have been developed costs of these preparations are in excess of £80 per month LHRH analogues act by initial stimulation, followed by down-regulation of pituitary gonadotrophin secretion
8. A - F IMB is uncommon in the normal menstrual cycle B - F hysteroscopy is the more useful investigation C - F the establishment of ovulation is not essential in the
management of patients with IMB, but may be helpful if progestagens are to be considered in the adequately assessed anovulatory patient
D - T regular mid-cycle spotting and pain (‘mittelschmerz’) are noted by some women at the time of ovulation
E - F pre-invasive cervical disease does not cause bleeding
9 . A - F B - F
C - F D - F E - F
the COC has a protective effect in the order of 50% the incidence of PID is lower in women who use the COC as a method of contraception, compared with women who have unprotected intercourse the incidence of benign ovarian cysts is lower COC usage is associated with hypertension the COC has a protective effect, most studies indicate a reduction in excess of 50%
B - T
C - F D - T
E - F
back pain is common in labours with an occipito-posterior position of the fetal head the ventouse has increased in popularity for achieving safe rotational vaginal delivery. Clinicians often prefer the metal cup for rotations, feeling the failure rate is lower none of the head should be palpable per abdomen rotation to the occipito-anterior position can permit vaginal delivery in the presence of fetal distress, delivery should be by Caesarean section
1 1 . A - T
B - T
C - F
D - T
E - F
fluid can clearly be seen around the fetal liver and bowel most commonly this examination is now conducted between the 18th and 20th weeks of gestational age fetal maturity cannot be reliably determined ultrasonographically in the third trimester early diagnosis of cleft lip can be useful information to forewarn the parents and paediatric surgeons pregnancies can only be detected following implantation
1 2 . A - T
B - F
C - T
D - T E - T
widespread abnormalities, including those of the fetal alcohol syndrome with growth retardation, central nervous system abnormalities, microcephaly, microphthalmia and poorly developed philtrum have been described methyldopa has been used safely during pregnancy for many years to control hypertension. There have been occasional case reports of microcephaly warfarin is known to cause intracerebral haemorrhage, nasal hypoplasia and stippling of the epiphyses aminoglycosides are known to be ototoxic various craniofacial and digital abnormalities, together with more major anomalies have been associated with maternal phenytoin ingestion during pregnancy
B - F
C - T
D - T
E - F
chlamydial infection, which may be asymptomatic, can cause considerable tube damage. It is more common than gonorrhoea as the infection responsible tubal occlusion is surprisingly uncommon even in the presence of moderately severe pelvic endometriosis the mechanism, however, by which infection ascends through the cervical canal and reaches the fallopian tubes is still unknown appendicitis can result in tubal damage, both from the local pelvic inflammatory reaction and the associated surgery a hydrosalpinx may be seen ultrasonographically, but occlusion of normal calibre tube and fimbrial end clubbing cannot be diagnosed by this means
1 4 . A - T
B - F
C - T
D - T
E - F
gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum can lead to severe conjunctivitis, keratitis and blindness if not promptly treated endocervical and urethral swabs are required. In some circumstances throat and rectal swabs should be considered systemic manifestations, perihepatitis and septicaemia can all be caused by gonococcal infection the majority of gonococcal infected men develop a urethritis, dysuria and urethral discharge gonococcus is a Gram -negative intracellular diplococcus
1 5 . A - T
B - F
C - F
D - T
E - T
the efficacy of the diaphragm as a method of contraception is reduced if this advice is ignored the diaphragm should be clean, but sterility is not required safer sexual practices are to be encouraged and there is no reason why two barrier methods should not be used together it is important to advise re-fitting after each child is born and when there has been a significant weight change in the user removal before 6 hours has elapsed following intercourse diminishes the efficacy of the diaphragm
method of contraception. If further intercourse takes place before this time, the spermicide should be replenished
B - F
C - T
D - F
E - F
African and West Indian populations have the highest incidence lowered oxygen tension, acidosis, infection and dehydration may precipitate a crisis regular screening for hypertension/pre-eclampsia, urinary tract infection and reduced fetal growth is recommended in women with sickle cell disease sickle cell disease results from an amino acid substitution of glutamine for valine on the beta globin chain earlier (pre-pregnancy or first trimester) diagnosis is recommended so that the couple can be advised on the possible risk of a serious haemoglobin defect in their offspring and subsequently counselled about the means of diagnosis in the fetus
1 7 . A - F
B - F
C - T
D - T
E - F
studies have shown that a significant proportion of women with stress incontinence have detrusor instability and therefore this investigation is worthwhile to prevent inappropriate intervention urinary infection may be responsible for some or even all a patient’s symptoms and therefore it should always be excluded before conducting time-consuming and invasive investigations cystometry is indicated in the investigation of patients with multiple symptoms, a voiding disorder, previous unsuccessful incontinence surgery or a neuropathic bladder disorder ultrasound is a means of assessing postmicturition residual urinary volume and the bladder neck capacity (taken as a strong desire to void) should be greater than 400 ml
the perinatal mortality rate is the number of perinatal deaths divided by the total births (born live and still) during the same period
B - F 20% of deaths are attributable to congenital malformations
C - T mothers from Pakistan also have a higher perinatal mortality rate than those from India and Bangladesh
D - F perinatal mortality rises with social class: in 1986 the rate was 7.2 per 1000 births in social classes 1 and 2 compared with 11.4 per 1000 births in social class 5 (England and Wales)
E - F perinatal mortality is lowest in those mothers aged between 20 and 29 years
1 9 . A - F labour should be suppressed for 48 hours to gain maximum benefit from the steroids used to enhance fetal lung development
B - T maternal pulmonary oedema is a particular risk with the /3-sympathomimetics and warrants careful attention to the patient’s fluid balance
C - F intravenous therapy is almost universally administered initially, the role of oral tocolysis remaining controversial
D - T although permitting delivery is the usual management when gestation has reached 34 weeks, tocolysis may temporarily suppress labour, enabling in-utero transfer to a unit with more sophisticated obstetric and neonatal facilities
E - F magnesium sulphate, indomethacin and nifedipine are some of the alternative pharmacological agents that have been investigated
2 0 . A - F ascites can occur with benign ovarian tumours and parasitic fibroids. Meig’s syndrome describes ascites and pleural effusion in association with a benign ovarian fibroma
B - T teratomas (also known as dermoids) are most common in young women and are bilateral in about 12% of cases
C - T both a-fetoprotein and human chorionic
gonadotrophin may be produced D - T a palpable pelvic kidney can simulate an ovarian mass E - F careful surgical staging is essential to determine the
appropriate subsequent management
2 1 . A - F
B - F
C - F
D - T
E - T
such measures promote milk production. Non-feeding, simple analgesia and a good supportive bra are usually adequate measures colostrum is secreted for approximately the first two days postpartum; the change to milk occurs on the third and fourth day bromocryptine inhibits the release of prolactin from the pituitary and is therefore useful for the suppression of lactation Sheehan’s syndrome or necrosis of the anterior pituitary following severe postpartum haemorrhage is now fortunately very rare. If the patient survives, there is a failure of lactation due to the lack of prolactin and manifestations of the other endocrine deficiencies mastitis is associated with milk stasis, nipple trauma and poor nursing technique. Pathogenic bacteria enter and are most commonly of the staphylococcal type
2 2 . A - T
B - F
C - T
D - F
E - T
the anaesthetist is an essential member of the team and will normally manage the patient’s fluid balance, in addition to inserting central intravenous access lines a minimum of 6 units of blood should be cross-matched uterine atony resulting in dramatic bleeding may be controlled by forcibly compressing the uterus between a hand on the abdomen and a hand inserted per-vaginum uncross-matched O rhesus -negative blood can be used unless the patient is known to have anti-C antibodies uterine haemorrhage that cannot be controlled by local or pharmacological means necessitates surgery. Uterine artery ligation may be sufficient to avoid hysterectomy
B - C -
D -
E -
B -
C -
E -
B -
C -
abnormal bleeding that occurs between 24 hours and 6 weeks post-partum
T endometritis is a common cause F uterine relaxation and atony can occur in the few days
following delivery. It may respond to oxytocin, ergometrine or prostaglandin therapy. The possibility of retained products, however, should be borne in mind
F secondary post-partum haemorrhage occurs after approximately 1% of births
F ultrasonic findings are unhelpful earlier than 10 days post-partum and thereafter it may be difficult to distinguish retained products from blood clot
T although some form of resuscitation is required by about a third of babies active resuscitation, such as assisted ventilation, is required by less than 5%
F the Apgar score is recorded at 1, 5 and sometimes 10 minutes after delivery
T recognition of the need for resuscitation should be prompt (in the first minute) if there is no regular respiration, the heart rate is below 100 beats/minute or if the Apgar score remains below 7
T gentle suction should be applied to the endotracheal tube until no further meconium is obtained, changing the tube should it become blocked during the process
F care should be taken in the infant of a mother who is a known opiate addict. Use may precipitate acute withdrawal in the neonate
T the New York Heart Association Classification is based on the physical abilities of the mother and is divided into 4 classes. Nearly 90% are in the milder categories of 1 and 2; those with class 3 and 4 account for only 10% of heart disease in pregnancy but account for 85% of cardiac-caused deaths
T involvement of the aorta in Marfan’s syndrome increases the mortality from 5-15% to 25-50%
T the fetus has a greater risk of congenital heart disease
when the abnormality is present on the maternal side rather than the paternal one. There is also an increased incidence of prematurity and intrauterine growth retardation
D - F mitral stenosis is the most frequent rheumatic valvular disorder (90%)
E - T primary pulmonary hypertension is associated with sudden death; the raised cardiac output and decreased peripheral resistance of normal pregnancy increases the risk to an unacceptable 50%
B - T
C - T
D - T
E - T
maternal glycosylated haemoglobin is required for the detection of diabetes mellitus as glycaemia control may have returned to within normal limits post-partum a Kleihauer blood test is a stain of maternal blood to establish the presence of fetal red blood cells and quantitates the volume of feto-maternal transfusion an increasing incidence of consumptive coagulopathy develops with time following fetal demise and therefore should be checked in a woman with a retained dead fetus in utero hypertensive disease of all aetiologies increases perinatal mortality systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with an increased pregnancy loss in all trimesters
2 7 . A - T
B - F C - T
D - F
E - T
normal behaviour is considered to be one breathing episode of 30 seconds duration. Continuous, repetitive or absent breathing is abnormal the maximum score is 10 a cardiotocogram is part of the assessment to make the biophysical profile score a reduction in amniotic fluid volume either by a reduced depth measurement or a subjective diminution is considered abnormal low-velocity movements, flaccidity and abnormal position together with the complete absence of fetal movement are all considered abnormal
B
C
D
E
C
D
E
B -
C
cases
F in cases of mild abruption, particularly with the preterm fetus, provided the fetal condition is monitored, expectant management should be considered
T maternal cocaine abuse is associated with a higher incidence of placental abruption and increased risks of growth retardation and preterm labour
T the diagnosis of placental abruption is principally a clinical one, but in the presence of a large clot it may be identified as a hyperechogenic area on ultrasound examination
F the diagnosis of appendicitis in pregnancy is notoriously difficult and can be confused with concealed placental abruption
T pliable Silastic cups are increasing in popularity and replacing the metal cups as they are simpler to assemble
T electronic pumps produce a rapid onset and reliably controlled vacuum and are therefore preferred to the hand pump devices
F the criteria for the ventouse method and forceps should be the same. The role of the ventouse to expedite delivery at less than full dilatation is most controversial
T the patient should be in the lithotomy position, similar to a forceps delivery
T a pudendal block may be adequate with perineal infiltration of local anaesthetic for the lift out procedures
T a placenta which significantly encroaches into the lower segment prevents engagement of the fetal head
T any ‘tumour’ which obstructs the lower segment can prevent descent of the fetal head
T the preterm infant would not be expected to have engaged in the pelvis and therefore the dating of the pregnancy should be checked. The widespread use of
earlier ultrasound has assisted in the more accurate assessment of pregnancy gestation
D - F significant numbers will experience descent of the head into the pelvis during labour and successful vaginal delivery and therefore routine Caesarean section cannot be justified. The possibility of cephalopelvic disproportion should, however, be borne in mind
E - T African races commonly have a pelvic inlet with a higher angle of inclination than Caucasian women and therefore the head may fail to engage before the onset of labour
