Varney's Midwifery 7th Edition (Chapters 28–34) Practice Questions & Answers
(Labor, Birth & Postpartum)
1. Labor is defined as:
A. Regular uterine contractions resulting in cervical change
B. Any abdominal discomfort during pregnancy
C. Fetal movement in late pregnancy
D. Placental separation before birth
Answer: A
2. The first stage of labor begins with:
A. Delivery of the placenta
B. Onset of true labor and cervical dilation
C. Birth of the baby
D. Rupture of membranes only
Answer: B
3. The first stage of labor ends when the cervix is:
A. 5 cm dilated
B. 8 cm dilated
C. Fully dilated at 10 cm
D. Effaced completely only
Answer: C
4. Which sign is most characteristic of true labor?
A. Contractions that become stronger and more regular
B. Contractions relieved by rest
C. Irregular abdominal tightening
D. Intermittent fetal movement
Answer: A
5. Cervical effacement refers to:
A. Opening of the cervix
B. Thinning and shortening of the cervix
C. Descent of the fetus
D. Placental delivery
Answer: B
6. The second stage of labor extends from:
A. Onset of contractions to 5 cm dilation
B. Full dilation to birth of the baby
C. Birth of the baby to placental delivery
D. Placental delivery to 24 hours postpartum
Answer: B
7. The third stage of labor involves:
A. Cervical dilation
B. Fetal descent
C. Delivery of the placenta
, D. Postpartum recovery
Answer: C
8. Which fetal presentation is most favorable for vaginal birth?
A. Breech
B. Shoulder
C. Vertex (cephalic)
D. Face presentation
Answer: C
9. Station refers to:
A. Fetal heart rate
B. Fetal descent relative to the ischial spines
C. Cervical dilation
D. Placental position
Answer: B
10. Which hormone plays a major role in stimulating uterine contractions?
A. Oxytocin
B. Insulin
C. Cortisol
D. Thyroxine
Answer: A
11. The normal baseline fetal heart rate is approximately:
A. 60–100 bpm
B. 80–110 bpm
C. 110–160 bpm
D. 170–220 bpm
Answer: C
12. The fourth stage of labor refers to:
A. Placental separation
B. Immediate postpartum recovery period
C. Active labor
D. Fetal descent
Answer: B
13. Which assessment is most important immediately after birth?
A. Maternal hair color
B. Uterine tone and bleeding
C. Shoe size
D. Vision screening
Answer: B
14. The Apgar score is commonly assessed at:
A. 1 and 5 minutes after birth
B. 30 and 60 minutes after birth
C. 12 and 24 hours after birth
(Labor, Birth & Postpartum)
1. Labor is defined as:
A. Regular uterine contractions resulting in cervical change
B. Any abdominal discomfort during pregnancy
C. Fetal movement in late pregnancy
D. Placental separation before birth
Answer: A
2. The first stage of labor begins with:
A. Delivery of the placenta
B. Onset of true labor and cervical dilation
C. Birth of the baby
D. Rupture of membranes only
Answer: B
3. The first stage of labor ends when the cervix is:
A. 5 cm dilated
B. 8 cm dilated
C. Fully dilated at 10 cm
D. Effaced completely only
Answer: C
4. Which sign is most characteristic of true labor?
A. Contractions that become stronger and more regular
B. Contractions relieved by rest
C. Irregular abdominal tightening
D. Intermittent fetal movement
Answer: A
5. Cervical effacement refers to:
A. Opening of the cervix
B. Thinning and shortening of the cervix
C. Descent of the fetus
D. Placental delivery
Answer: B
6. The second stage of labor extends from:
A. Onset of contractions to 5 cm dilation
B. Full dilation to birth of the baby
C. Birth of the baby to placental delivery
D. Placental delivery to 24 hours postpartum
Answer: B
7. The third stage of labor involves:
A. Cervical dilation
B. Fetal descent
C. Delivery of the placenta
, D. Postpartum recovery
Answer: C
8. Which fetal presentation is most favorable for vaginal birth?
A. Breech
B. Shoulder
C. Vertex (cephalic)
D. Face presentation
Answer: C
9. Station refers to:
A. Fetal heart rate
B. Fetal descent relative to the ischial spines
C. Cervical dilation
D. Placental position
Answer: B
10. Which hormone plays a major role in stimulating uterine contractions?
A. Oxytocin
B. Insulin
C. Cortisol
D. Thyroxine
Answer: A
11. The normal baseline fetal heart rate is approximately:
A. 60–100 bpm
B. 80–110 bpm
C. 110–160 bpm
D. 170–220 bpm
Answer: C
12. The fourth stage of labor refers to:
A. Placental separation
B. Immediate postpartum recovery period
C. Active labor
D. Fetal descent
Answer: B
13. Which assessment is most important immediately after birth?
A. Maternal hair color
B. Uterine tone and bleeding
C. Shoe size
D. Vision screening
Answer: B
14. The Apgar score is commonly assessed at:
A. 1 and 5 minutes after birth
B. 30 and 60 minutes after birth
C. 12 and 24 hours after birth
