Hypertensive disorders: fetal bradycardia after seizure: 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 · Hypertensive disorders: fetal bradycardia after seizure

Sample item

A woman at 34 weeks has an eclamptic seizure. The CTG shows fetal bradycardia that is recovering as she stabilises. What is the best approach?

AManage conservatively for several weeksBStabilise the mother first and plan delivery after she has recoveredCApply forceps immediatelyDPerform an emergency caesarean during the seizure

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Stabilise the mother first and plan delivery after she has recovered

Maternal hypoxia and uterine hypertonus during a seizure cause transient fetal bradycardia, which usually recovers when the mother is oxygenated and treated. Maternal stabilisation comes first, and the mode and timing of delivery are decided afterwards.

Option by option

A. Manage conservatively for several weeks
Eclampsia calls for delivery once the mother is stable, not prolonged expectant care.
B. Stabilise the mother first and plan delivery after she has recovered (correct)
Correct. Fetal changes usually recover once the mother is stabilised.
C. Apply forceps immediately
Instrumental delivery is not applicable without an indication and a fully dilated cervix.
D. Perform an emergency caesarean during the seizure
Operating on an unstable, convulsing woman adds risk with no benefit.

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.

Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is B, Stabilise the mother first and plan delivery after she has recovered. Maternal hypoxia and uterine hypertonus during a seizure cause transient fetal bradycardia, which usually recovers when the mother is oxygenated and treated.

Why is "Manage conservatively for several weeks" not the answer?

Eclampsia calls for delivery once the mother is stable, not prolonged expectant care.

Why is "Apply forceps immediately" not the answer?

Instrumental delivery is not applicable without an indication and a fully dilated cervix.

Why is "Perform an emergency caesarean during the seizure" not the answer?

Operating on an unstable, convulsing woman adds risk with no benefit.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hypertensive disorders: fetal bradycardia after seizure in OBG. Maternal stabilisation comes first, and the mode and timing of delivery are decided afterwards.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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 Hypertensive disorders: fetal bradycardia after seizure?

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.