Labour: obstructed labour: 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: obstructed labour

Sample item

A woman with 2 days of labour has a distended bladder, a tender lower abdomen and an oblique groove at the level of the umbilicus. What is this groove called?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Bandl's ring

Bandl's pathological retraction ring is a visible groove between the thickened upper segment and the overstretched lower segment in obstructed labour. It is a warning of impending rupture. Management is relief of obstruction by caesarean section.

Option by option

  • A. Bandl's ring (correct)

    Correct. Bandl's ring signals obstructed labour.

  • B. Pawlik's groove

    Pawlik's grip is a palpation manoeuvre, not a groove.

  • C. Linea nigra

    Linea nigra is a pigmented abdominal line.

  • D. Colles' fascia

    Colles' fascia is a perineal fascia.

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, Bandl's ring. Bandl's pathological retraction ring is a visible groove between the thickened upper segment and the overstretched lower segment in obstructed labour.

Why is "Pawlik's groove" not the answer?

Pawlik's grip is a palpation manoeuvre, not a groove.

Why is "Linea nigra" not the answer?

Linea nigra is a pigmented abdominal line.

Why is "Colles' fascia" not the answer?

Colles' fascia is a perineal fascia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Labour: obstructed labour in OBG. It is a warning of impending rupture. Management is relief of obstruction by caesarean section.

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 Labour: obstructed labour?

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.