Midwifery Exam Practice Questions With All
Correct & Verified Answers
What is the first stage of the menstrual cycle (that lasts 4-7 days) known as? Correct answer-
Menstrual Cycle
What is the second stage of the menstrual cycle (lasting 8-13 days) known as? Correct answer-
Follicular Phase
What is the third stage of the menstrual cycle, occurring at day 14, known as? Correct answer-
Ovulatory Phase
What is the final stage of the menstrual cycle known as? Correct answer-Luteal Phase
What occurs during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle? Correct answer-FSH causes follicle
maturation in the ovary. Increased oestrogen causes the endometrium to thicken and become a
nourishing environment for a potential pregnancy.
Define Ovulation Correct answer-A period of heightened hormones where a dominant follicle
releases an egg into a Fallopian tube.
Which hormone is responsible for ovulation? Correct answer-LH (Luteinizing Hormone)
What happens during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle? Correct answer-Oestrogen
decreases, progesterone increases due to the corpus luteum.
What happens during the menstrual phase of the menstrual cycle? Correct answer-Oestrogen and
progesterone decrease and the endometrial lining is shed.
How long is an egg viable for following ovulation? Correct answer-1 day
What happens if an egg is not fertilised? Correct answer-Progesterone decreases, corpus luteum is
reabsorbed and FSH causes new follicles to start maturing.
Define capacitation Correct answer-The protective covering of the acrosome of the sperm is
removed.
What sort of reaction begins when a sperm comes into contact with an egg? Correct answer-
Cortical reaction - cortical granules block any other sperm from entering the egg
How many chromosomes does a zygote contain? Correct answer-46, in 23 homologous pairs
How many cells does the merula have? Correct answer-8 to 16
How many cells does the blastocyst have? Correct answer-16 to 32
How many days after ovulation can implantation occur? Correct answer-6 to 10 days
Define decidualisation Correct answer-Progesterone increases, creating a hospitable environment
for the developing fetus.
, What are trophoblasts? Correct answer-Cells on the outer layer of the blastocyst
What are integrins? Correct answer-Cell adhesion molecules that work in implantation.
What is the chorion? Correct answer-Fetal part of placenta made out of trophoblast cells
Which hormone causes skin pigmentation in pregnancy? Correct answer-Pituitary melanin-
stimulating hormone
What is the linea nigra? Correct answer-Abdominal midline
What is striae gravidarum? Correct answer-Stretch marks
What is choloasma? Correct answer-'Mask of pregnancy' which is a tan or dark skin discoloration.
What hormones cause SPD? Correct answer-Increased relaxin and progesterone
What causes backache in pregnancy? Correct answer-Increased progesterone and relaxin that
relaxes the sacroiliac joint.
How does the vagina change in pregnancy? Correct answer-Increased vascularity resulting in
purple/red discoloration
What is Jacquemier's sign of pregnancy? Correct answer-Vagina and cervix may appear
purple/blue due to increased blood supply
What is Osiander's sign of pregnancy? Correct answer-Pulse located in the lateral vaginal fornix
which indicates pregnancy
What is the function of the cervical mucus plug? Correct answer-Protect the fetus from any
ascending infections
What is an ectropion? Correct answer-Purple/red discoloration of the cervix
What causes vaginal discharge in pregnancy? Correct answer-Shedding of mucosal cells from the
cervix or uterus
What is candida albicans? Correct answer-Thrush or a yeast infection
How does the mouth change in pregnancy? Correct answer-Increased gum vascularity, increased
salivation resulting in bleeding gums or gingivitis.
How does the stomach change in pregnancy? Correct answer-Cardiac sphincter relaxes caused by
progesterone or heartburn
How does the thyroid gland change in pregnancy? Correct answer-Increased TSH or thyroxine
resulting in enlargement, or a goitre, thought to be related to nausea and vomiting.
Which gland produces prolactin? Correct answer-Anterior pituitary gland
Correct & Verified Answers
What is the first stage of the menstrual cycle (that lasts 4-7 days) known as? Correct answer-
Menstrual Cycle
What is the second stage of the menstrual cycle (lasting 8-13 days) known as? Correct answer-
Follicular Phase
What is the third stage of the menstrual cycle, occurring at day 14, known as? Correct answer-
Ovulatory Phase
What is the final stage of the menstrual cycle known as? Correct answer-Luteal Phase
What occurs during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle? Correct answer-FSH causes follicle
maturation in the ovary. Increased oestrogen causes the endometrium to thicken and become a
nourishing environment for a potential pregnancy.
Define Ovulation Correct answer-A period of heightened hormones where a dominant follicle
releases an egg into a Fallopian tube.
Which hormone is responsible for ovulation? Correct answer-LH (Luteinizing Hormone)
What happens during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle? Correct answer-Oestrogen
decreases, progesterone increases due to the corpus luteum.
What happens during the menstrual phase of the menstrual cycle? Correct answer-Oestrogen and
progesterone decrease and the endometrial lining is shed.
How long is an egg viable for following ovulation? Correct answer-1 day
What happens if an egg is not fertilised? Correct answer-Progesterone decreases, corpus luteum is
reabsorbed and FSH causes new follicles to start maturing.
Define capacitation Correct answer-The protective covering of the acrosome of the sperm is
removed.
What sort of reaction begins when a sperm comes into contact with an egg? Correct answer-
Cortical reaction - cortical granules block any other sperm from entering the egg
How many chromosomes does a zygote contain? Correct answer-46, in 23 homologous pairs
How many cells does the merula have? Correct answer-8 to 16
How many cells does the blastocyst have? Correct answer-16 to 32
How many days after ovulation can implantation occur? Correct answer-6 to 10 days
Define decidualisation Correct answer-Progesterone increases, creating a hospitable environment
for the developing fetus.
, What are trophoblasts? Correct answer-Cells on the outer layer of the blastocyst
What are integrins? Correct answer-Cell adhesion molecules that work in implantation.
What is the chorion? Correct answer-Fetal part of placenta made out of trophoblast cells
Which hormone causes skin pigmentation in pregnancy? Correct answer-Pituitary melanin-
stimulating hormone
What is the linea nigra? Correct answer-Abdominal midline
What is striae gravidarum? Correct answer-Stretch marks
What is choloasma? Correct answer-'Mask of pregnancy' which is a tan or dark skin discoloration.
What hormones cause SPD? Correct answer-Increased relaxin and progesterone
What causes backache in pregnancy? Correct answer-Increased progesterone and relaxin that
relaxes the sacroiliac joint.
How does the vagina change in pregnancy? Correct answer-Increased vascularity resulting in
purple/red discoloration
What is Jacquemier's sign of pregnancy? Correct answer-Vagina and cervix may appear
purple/blue due to increased blood supply
What is Osiander's sign of pregnancy? Correct answer-Pulse located in the lateral vaginal fornix
which indicates pregnancy
What is the function of the cervical mucus plug? Correct answer-Protect the fetus from any
ascending infections
What is an ectropion? Correct answer-Purple/red discoloration of the cervix
What causes vaginal discharge in pregnancy? Correct answer-Shedding of mucosal cells from the
cervix or uterus
What is candida albicans? Correct answer-Thrush or a yeast infection
How does the mouth change in pregnancy? Correct answer-Increased gum vascularity, increased
salivation resulting in bleeding gums or gingivitis.
How does the stomach change in pregnancy? Correct answer-Cardiac sphincter relaxes caused by
progesterone or heartburn
How does the thyroid gland change in pregnancy? Correct answer-Increased TSH or thyroxine
resulting in enlargement, or a goitre, thought to be related to nausea and vomiting.
Which gland produces prolactin? Correct answer-Anterior pituitary gland
