NMC Licensing Examination — Registered Midwife

Sample Midwifery practice questions

Try these 12 questions from different topics. Open "Show answer" to check yourself and read the explanation.

1. Question 1 · Obstetric Anatomy & Physiology

   Which event marks the beginning of the third stage of labour?

   1. A.Onset of regular contractions
   2. B.Birth of the baby
   3. C.Full cervical dilatation
   4. D.Rupture of membranes
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Birth of the baby

   The third stage begins after the baby is born and ends with delivery of the placenta and membranes.

2. Question 2 · Professional Ethics, Communication & Documentation

   Before a vaginal examination, what is the best way to support respectful maternity care?

   1. A.Proceed without explanation because it is routine
   2. B.Discuss the patient loudly in a public area
   3. C.Explain the examination, obtain consent and protect privacy
   4. D.Ask an unrelated visitor to decide
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   Answer: C. Explain the examination, obtain consent and protect privacy

   Respectful care includes understandable information, consent, privacy and dignity.

3. Question 3 · Normal Pregnancy & Focused Antenatal Care

   For an uncomplicated pregnancy, what contact pattern does current WHO antenatal guidance promote?

   1. A.One contact at the start of pregnancy only
   2. B.Care only when symptoms appear
   3. C.No contact until labour begins
   4. D.A minimum of eight antenatal contacts
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   Answer: D. A minimum of eight antenatal contacts

   WHO recommends a minimum of eight contacts to improve the experience of care and opportunities to detect problems.

4. Question 4 · Antenatal Screening & Risk Identification

   Which screening combination is important at antenatal contacts after 20 weeks to detect pre-eclampsia?

   1. A.Blood-pressure measurement and assessment for proteinuria
   2. B.Visual acuity and hearing test only
   3. C.Height and shoe size only
   4. D.Blood group testing without blood pressure
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Blood-pressure measurement and assessment for proteinuria

   Hypertension and proteinuria are key findings used to identify pre-eclampsia risk and need for further assessment.

5. Question 5 · Medical Disorders in Pregnancy

   Which medicine is central to preventing recurrent seizures in eclampsia according to WHO guidance?

   1. A.Oral iron alone
   2. B.Magnesium sulfate
   3. C.Oxytocin alone
   4. D.Vitamin K
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Magnesium sulfate

   Magnesium sulfate is recommended for prevention and treatment of eclamptic seizures alongside urgent supportive and obstetric care.

6. Question 6 · Normal Labour & Birth

   When should a midwife perform hand hygiene in relation to a vaginal examination?

   1. A.Immediately before the clean/aseptic procedure
   2. B.Only after leaving the maternity unit
   3. C.Only if gloves are unavailable
   4. D.At the end of the shift
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Immediately before the clean/aseptic procedure

   A vaginal examination is a clean/aseptic procedure; hand hygiene is required immediately beforehand, and gloves do not replace it.

7. Question 7 · Fetal Surveillance & Labour Monitoring

   An abnormal fetal heart-rate pattern is detected during labour. What should the midwife do?

   1. A.Ignore it until delivery
   2. B.Erase the observation from the record
   3. C.Stop monitoring maternal vital signs
   4. D.Assess promptly, begin appropriate initial measures and escalate according to protocol
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Assess promptly, begin appropriate initial measures and escalate according to protocol

   Abnormal fetal surveillance findings require timely assessment, documentation and escalation rather than delay.

8. Question 8 · Pain Relief & Supportive Care

   Which non-pharmacological intervention is recommended to improve a woman's experience during labour?

   1. A.Continuous supportive companionship where desired
   2. B.Routine isolation from all support people
   3. C.Withholding information about progress
   4. D.Preventing position changes without a clinical reason
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Continuous supportive companionship where desired

   Continuous support and respectful communication can improve the labour experience and outcomes.

9. Question 9 · Postpartum Haemorrhage

   Where several quality-assured uterotonics are available, which agent does WHO recommend for prevention of postpartum haemorrhage for all births?

   1. A.Oxytocin 10 IU IM/IV
   2. B.Oral antibiotics
   3. C.Magnesium sulfate
   4. D.Intravenous glucose
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Oxytocin 10 IU IM/IV

   WHO recommends oxytocin 10 IU by the intramuscular or intravenous route for PPH prevention where multiple uterotonic options are available.

10. Question 10 · Hypertensive Disorders & Eclampsia

    A pregnant woman has severe hypertension, headache and visual symptoms. What is the safest response?

    1. A.Reassure and send her home without review
    2. B.Wait for labour to start before acting
    3. C.Initiate urgent management and referral for severe pre-eclampsia
    4. D.Treat only the headache and ignore blood pressure
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Initiate urgent management and referral for severe pre-eclampsia

    Severe hypertension with neurological symptoms is an obstetric emergency requiring immediate stabilization and escalation.

11. Question 11 · Obstructed Labour, Sepsis & Referral

    Labour is not progressing and obstruction is suspected. What is the priority?

    1. A.Continue indefinitely without reassessment
    2. B.Encourage forceful pushing before full assessment
    3. C.Discharge the woman to walk home
    4. D.Stabilize the woman and arrange urgent referral for definitive obstetric care
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    Answer: D. Stabilize the woman and arrange urgent referral for definitive obstetric care

    Obstructed labour can rapidly endanger mother and baby; timely recognition, stabilization and referral are essential.

12. Question 12 · Postnatal Assessment & Complications

    After an uncomplicated facility birth, what does WHO recommend about the first postnatal period?

    1. A.Provide quality care in the facility for at least 24 hours
    2. B.Discharge every mother immediately
    3. C.Delay the first assessment for one week
    4. D.Assess only the newborn and not the mother
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Provide quality care in the facility for at least 24 hours

    The first 24 hours are critical for detecting maternal and newborn complications and supporting feeding and recovery.