Examination for the State Registration of Trained Midwives.

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume V, Issue 3, 1 July 1912, Page 83

Examination for the State Registration of Trained Midwives.

Midwifery. sth Junk, 1912. Time : Three hours. N B.—All questions may be answered.

Answers must be given to questions 2, 3,

5, and 6.

1. Describe the umbilical cord — its structure and its use. Mention conditions of the umbilical cord which may be dangerous to the child during labour, and say what you would do under each condition. 2. (a) Why is there bleeding from the uterus on separation of the placenta ? Why does it not go on till the patient bleeds to death ? (a) What are the causes of post-partum Haemorrhage (bleeding after completion of birth) ? 3. Why are antiseptics used in midwifery ? Name three common antiseptics. Give the strengths in which you would use them, and mention the dangers attending their use. 4. A case of erysipelas is discovered in the same house in which you are nursing a case confined the day before : what steps would you take to secure the safety of your patient ? 5. What are the causes, symptoms, and treatment of an inflamed breast ? 6. Describe the special points in the management of a case- — (a) of breech presentation, (b) of twins.

The following are the remarks of the examiner :—

" The paper, as a whole, are creditable, and I have gathered the impression that the work of the training schools has been steady and keen. If any special weakness is to be mentioned,, it is that of a want of general education, resulting in an imperfect appreciation of some important facts of anatomy and physiology, and in a large number of the papers of a want of neatness in writing and arrangement." The examiner says in another letter : ' I do wish they all had been supplied with typewriters (and were able to use them). The handwriting of most was bad, and one or two afforded peculiarities of letter formation which were very puzzling.'*

[ "Editor's Note.— Nurses would be well advised to cultivate as clear and neat handwriting as possible. Nothing can be more

exasperating to an examiner who has to go through a large number of papers than the affected flourishes and peculiarities some nurses delight in. We think they must often lose marks on this account.]