Labour: uterine inertia: 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: uterine inertia

Sample item

A primigravida in labour has infrequent weak contractions, a cervix stuck at 5 cm, intact membranes and a normal pelvis. What is the next step?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Artificial rupture of membranes followed by oxytocin augmentation

Hypotonic uterine dysfunction with slow progress is managed after excluding cephalopelvic disproportion by amniotomy and oxytocin augmentation. Caesarean section is considered if there is no progress despite adequate contractions. Colicky uterine dysfunction (hypertonic) is treated differently.

Option by option

  • A. Forceps delivery

    The cervix is not fully dilated, so forceps cannot be used.

  • B. Immediate caesarean section

    Caesarean section is premature at this stage.

  • C. Artificial rupture of membranes followed by oxytocin augmentation (correct)

    Correct. Amniotomy and oxytocin correct inadequate contractions.

  • D. Sedation to stop labour

    Stopping labour does not treat poor progress.

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 C, Artificial rupture of membranes followed by oxytocin augmentation. Hypotonic uterine dysfunction with slow progress is managed after excluding cephalopelvic disproportion by amniotomy and oxytocin augmentation.

Why is "Forceps delivery" not the answer?

The cervix is not fully dilated, so forceps cannot be used.

Why is "Immediate caesarean section" not the answer?

Caesarean section is premature at this stage.

Why is "Sedation to stop labour" not the answer?

Stopping labour does not treat poor progress.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Labour: uterine inertia in OBG. Caesarean section is considered if there is no progress despite adequate contractions. Colicky uterine dysfunction (hypertonic) is treated differently.

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: uterine inertia?

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.