A 25-year-old woman comes to the office due to amenorrhea. The patient's last menstrual period was 8 weeks ago, and she normally has regular, monthly menses. The patient has no chronic medical conditions and has had no surgeries. She takes no daily medications. Blood pressure is 100/60 mm Hg and pulse is 92/min. BMI is 24 kg/m². Abdominal examination shows a soft, nontender abdomen with no palpable masses. Pelvic examination shows an 8-week-sized, nontender uterus. Serum B-hCG level is elevated. Which of the following is the most important direct role of hCG in this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: B-hCG is a hormone secreted by the placental syncytiotrophoblast after uterine invasion that signals the ovary to maintain the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone in early pregnancy.

A 25-Year-Old Woman Comes to the Office Due to Amenorrhea