Page 1 of 98
OB PEDS FISDAP TEST PAPER QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
SECTION 1: OBSTETRIC ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY (Questions 1–25)
1. Which of the following is the primary function of the placenta?
A) To produce amniotic fluid
B) To serve as a conduit for oxygen and nutrient exchange between mother and fetus
C) To protect the fetus from physical trauma
D) To initiate labor
Answer: B) To serve as a conduit for oxygen and nutrient exchange between mother and fetus
Rationale: The placenta is the temporary organ that facilitates the exchange of oxygen,
nutrients, and waste products between the maternal and fetal bloodstreams. It also produces
hormones essential for maintaining pregnancy.
2. What is the normal duration of a full-term pregnancy from the last menstrual period?
A) 36 weeks
B) 38 weeks
C) 40 weeks
D) 42 weeks
Answer: C) 40 weeks
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Rationale: A normal, full-term pregnancy lasts approximately 40 weeks (280 days) from the first
day of the last menstrual period.
3. Which of the following is a normal physiological change during pregnancy?
A) Decreased cardiac output
B) Increased blood pressure
C) Increased blood volume
D) Decreased heart rate
Answer: C) Increased blood volume
Rationale: Maternal blood volume increases by approximately 40–50% during pregnancy to
meet the metabolic demands of the fetus and prepare for blood loss during delivery. Cardiac
output also increases, and blood pressure typically remains stable or slightly decreases.
4. What is the role of the umbilical cord?
A) To connect the fetus to the uterine wall
B) To carry oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus and deoxygenated blood back
C) To produce hormones for the fetus
D) To protect the fetus from infection
Answer: B) To carry oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus and deoxygenated blood
back
Rationale: The umbilical cord contains two arteries and one vein. The vein carries oxygenated,
nutrient-rich blood from the placenta to the fetus, while the two arteries carry deoxygenated
blood and waste products from the fetus back to the placenta.
5. What is the term for the first fetal movement felt by the mother?
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A) Lightening
B) Quickening
C) Braxton Hicks
D) Engagement
Answer: B) Quickening
Rationale: Quickening is the first perception of fetal movement by the mother, typically felt
between 16 and 20 weeks of gestation.
6. Which of the following is a normal physiological change in the respiratory system during
pregnancy?
A) Decreased tidal volume
B) Decreased respiratory rate
C) Increased oxygen consumption
D) Decreased minute ventilation
Answer: C) Increased oxygen consumption
Rationale: Oxygen consumption increases by 15–20% during pregnancy due to the metabolic
demands of the fetus and maternal tissues. Minute ventilation also increases, primarily due to
an increase in tidal volume.
7. What is the normal fetal heart rate range?
A) 60–100 bpm
B) 80–120 bpm
C) 110–160 bpm
D) 150–200 bpm
Answer: C) 110–160 bpm
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Rationale: The normal fetal heart rate is between 110 and 160 beats per minute. Rates outside
this range may indicate fetal distress or other complications.
8. Which hormone is responsible for maintaining the uterine lining during early pregnancy?
A) Estrogen
B) Progesterone
C) Oxytocin
D) Prolactin
Answer: B) Progesterone
Rationale: Progesterone maintains the endometrial lining, prevents uterine contractions, and
supports the development of the placenta during early pregnancy.
9. What is the term for the descent of the fetal head into the pelvis before labor?
A) Quickening
B) Lightening
C) Effacement
D) Dilation
Answer: B) Lightening
Rationale: Lightening refers to the descent of the fetal head into the pelvic cavity, which
typically occurs 2–3 weeks before labor in first-time mothers. It can relieve pressure on the
diaphragm but increase pelvic pressure.
10. Which of the following is a normal cardiovascular change during pregnancy?
A) Decreased heart rate
B) Increased blood pressure
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OB PEDS FISDAP TEST PAPER QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
SECTION 1: OBSTETRIC ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY (Questions 1–25)
1. Which of the following is the primary function of the placenta?
A) To produce amniotic fluid
B) To serve as a conduit for oxygen and nutrient exchange between mother and fetus
C) To protect the fetus from physical trauma
D) To initiate labor
Answer: B) To serve as a conduit for oxygen and nutrient exchange between mother and fetus
Rationale: The placenta is the temporary organ that facilitates the exchange of oxygen,
nutrients, and waste products between the maternal and fetal bloodstreams. It also produces
hormones essential for maintaining pregnancy.
2. What is the normal duration of a full-term pregnancy from the last menstrual period?
A) 36 weeks
B) 38 weeks
C) 40 weeks
D) 42 weeks
Answer: C) 40 weeks
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,Page 2 of 98
Rationale: A normal, full-term pregnancy lasts approximately 40 weeks (280 days) from the first
day of the last menstrual period.
3. Which of the following is a normal physiological change during pregnancy?
A) Decreased cardiac output
B) Increased blood pressure
C) Increased blood volume
D) Decreased heart rate
Answer: C) Increased blood volume
Rationale: Maternal blood volume increases by approximately 40–50% during pregnancy to
meet the metabolic demands of the fetus and prepare for blood loss during delivery. Cardiac
output also increases, and blood pressure typically remains stable or slightly decreases.
4. What is the role of the umbilical cord?
A) To connect the fetus to the uterine wall
B) To carry oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus and deoxygenated blood back
C) To produce hormones for the fetus
D) To protect the fetus from infection
Answer: B) To carry oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus and deoxygenated blood
back
Rationale: The umbilical cord contains two arteries and one vein. The vein carries oxygenated,
nutrient-rich blood from the placenta to the fetus, while the two arteries carry deoxygenated
blood and waste products from the fetus back to the placenta.
5. What is the term for the first fetal movement felt by the mother?
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,Page 3 of 98
A) Lightening
B) Quickening
C) Braxton Hicks
D) Engagement
Answer: B) Quickening
Rationale: Quickening is the first perception of fetal movement by the mother, typically felt
between 16 and 20 weeks of gestation.
6. Which of the following is a normal physiological change in the respiratory system during
pregnancy?
A) Decreased tidal volume
B) Decreased respiratory rate
C) Increased oxygen consumption
D) Decreased minute ventilation
Answer: C) Increased oxygen consumption
Rationale: Oxygen consumption increases by 15–20% during pregnancy due to the metabolic
demands of the fetus and maternal tissues. Minute ventilation also increases, primarily due to
an increase in tidal volume.
7. What is the normal fetal heart rate range?
A) 60–100 bpm
B) 80–120 bpm
C) 110–160 bpm
D) 150–200 bpm
Answer: C) 110–160 bpm
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Rationale: The normal fetal heart rate is between 110 and 160 beats per minute. Rates outside
this range may indicate fetal distress or other complications.
8. Which hormone is responsible for maintaining the uterine lining during early pregnancy?
A) Estrogen
B) Progesterone
C) Oxytocin
D) Prolactin
Answer: B) Progesterone
Rationale: Progesterone maintains the endometrial lining, prevents uterine contractions, and
supports the development of the placenta during early pregnancy.
9. What is the term for the descent of the fetal head into the pelvis before labor?
A) Quickening
B) Lightening
C) Effacement
D) Dilation
Answer: B) Lightening
Rationale: Lightening refers to the descent of the fetal head into the pelvic cavity, which
typically occurs 2–3 weeks before labor in first-time mothers. It can relieve pressure on the
diaphragm but increase pelvic pressure.
10. Which of the following is a normal cardiovascular change during pregnancy?
A) Decreased heart rate
B) Increased blood pressure
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