Labour: intrauterine resuscitation: practice question

A OBG question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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OBG · Labour: intrauterine resuscitation

Sample item

A woman receiving an oxytocin infusion has a cardiotocograph showing recurrent late decelerations with reduced variability. Which action should be taken first?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Stop the oxytocin and turn her to the left lateral position, correct hypotension with fluids

Intrauterine resuscitation aims to improve uteroplacental perfusion by stopping oxytocin, positioning the mother laterally, correcting hypotension with intravenous fluids and treating tachysystole, and then reassessing. If the tracing does not improve, delivery is expedited. Oxygen is not routinely recommended in the absence of maternal hypoxia.

Option by option

  • A. Stop the oxytocin and turn her to the left lateral position, correct hypotension with fluids (correct)

    Correct. Stop the stimulant, reposition and optimise perfusion, then reassess.

  • B. Give a sedative and wait

    Sedation does not help fetal oxygenation.

  • C. Increase oxytocin to hasten delivery

    More oxytocin worsens uterine hyperactivity and fetal hypoxia.

  • D. Perform an artificial rupture of membranes

    Amniotomy does not address the underlying uteroplacental insufficiency.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More OBG questions

Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is A, Stop the oxytocin and turn her to the left lateral position, correct hypotension with fluids. Intrauterine resuscitation aims to improve uteroplacental perfusion by stopping oxytocin, positioning the mother laterally, correcting hypotension with intravenous fluids and treating tachysystole, and then reassessing.

Why is "Give a sedative and wait" not the answer?

Sedation does not help fetal oxygenation.

Why is "Increase oxytocin to hasten delivery" not the answer?

More oxytocin worsens uterine hyperactivity and fetal hypoxia.

Why is "Perform an artificial rupture of membranes" not the answer?

Amniotomy does not address the underlying uteroplacental insufficiency.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Labour: intrauterine resuscitation in OBG. If the tracing does not improve, delivery is expedited. Oxygen is not routinely recommended in the absence of maternal hypoxia.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Labour: intrauterine resuscitation?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.