Deck 12: Conception and Prenatal Development

Question 1

With regard to the structure and function of the placenta,the maternity nurse should be aware that

A) as the placenta widens, it gradually thins to allow easier passage of air and nutrients.
B) as one of its early functions, the placenta acts as an endocrine gland.
C) the placenta is able to keep out most potentially toxic substances, such as cigarette smoke, to which the mother is exposed.
D) optimal blood circulation is achieved through the placenta when the woman is lying on her back or standing.

Answer 1

as one of its early functions, the placenta acts as an endocrine gland.

Question 2

When explaining twin conception,the nurse points out that dizygotic twins develop from

A) a single fertilized ovum and are always of the same sex.
B) a single fertilized ovum and may be the same sex or different sexes.
C) two fertilized ova and are the same sex.
D) two fertilized ova and may be the same sex or different sexes.

Answer 2

two fertilized ova and may be the same sex or different sexes.

Question 3

During a pregnancy group meeting,the nurse teaches patients that the fetal period is best described as one of

A) development of basic organ systems.
B) resistance of organs to damage from external agents.
C) maturation of organ systems.
D) development of placental oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange.

Answer 3

maturation of organ systems.

Question 4

A young patient comes in for her first prenatal examination.This is her first child.She asks "How does my baby get air inside my uterus?" The correct response is

A) "The baby's lungs work in the uterus to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide."
B) "The baby absorbs oxygen from your blood system."
C) "The placenta provides oxygen to the baby and excretes carbon dioxide into your bloodstream."
D) "The placenta delivers oxygen-rich blood through the umbilical artery to the baby's abdomen."

Question 5

The placenta allows exchange of oxygen,nutrients,and waste products between the mother and fetus by

A) contact between maternal blood and fetal capillaries within the chorionic villi.
B) interaction of maternal and fetal pH levels within the endometrial vessels.
C) a mixture of maternal and fetal blood within the intervillous spaces.
D) passive diffusion of maternal carbon dioxide and oxygen into the fetal capillaries.

Question 6

A nurse is teaching a prenatal class.The nurse teaches that during weeks 25 to 28,which fetal development occurs?

A) Eyes reopen.
B) Vernix caseosa covers the skin.
C) Lanugo may develop.
D) Brown fat is deposited.

Question 7

The student nurse learns that some of the embryo's intestines remain within the umbilical cord during the embryonic period because the

A) umbilical cord is much larger at this time than it will be at the end of pregnancy.
B) intestines begin their development within the umbilical cord.
C) nutrient content of the blood is higher in this location.
D) abdomen is too small to contain all the organs while they are developing.

Question 8

A patient is sent from the physician's office for assessment of oligohydramnios.The nurse is aware that this condition can result in

A) excessive fetal urine secretion.
B) newborn respiratory distress.
C) central nervous system abnormality.
D) gastrointestinal blockage.

Question 9

A new mother is distresses over the "white substance" covering her infant because it "looks ugly." What action by the nurse is most appropriate?

A) Scrub the substance off of the baby.
B) Reassure the mom that it will go away.
C) Report the findings to the provider.
D) Explain that the vernix caseosa protects fetal skin from amniotic fluid.

Question 10

A woman is 16 weeks pregnant with her first baby.She asks how long it will be before she feels the baby move.The best answer is

A) "You should have felt the baby move by now."
B) "Within the next month, you should start to feel fluttering sensations."
C) "The baby is moving, but you can't feel it yet."
D) "Some babies are quiet, and you don't feel them move."

Question 11

Which statement is accurate about the development of fetal organs and systems?

A) The cardiovascular system is the first organ system to function in the developing human.
B) Hematopoiesis originating in the yolk sac begins in the liver at 10 weeks.
C) The body changes from straight to C-shaped at 8 weeks.
D) The gastrointestinal system is mature at 32 weeks.

Question 12

After implantation,tiny projections develop out of the trophoblast and extend into the endometrium.These projections are referred to as

A) decidua basalis.
B) decidua capsularis.
C) decidua vera.
D) chorionic villi.

Question 13

While teaching an early pregnancy class,the nurse explains that the morula is a

A) fertilized ovum before mitosis begins.
B) flattened disk-shaped layer of cells within a fluid-filled sphere.
C) double layer of cells that becomes the placenta.
D) solid ball composed of the first cells formed after fertilization.

Question 14

The most basic information a maternity nurse should have concerning conception is

A) ova are considered fertile 48 to 72 hours after ovulation.
B) sperm remain viable in the woman's reproductive system for an average of 12 to 24 hours.
C) conception is achieved when a sperm successfully penetrates the membrane surrounding the ovum.
D) implantation in the endometrium occurs 6 to 10 days after conception.

Question 15

One of the assessments performed in the delivery room is checking the umbilical cord for blood vessels.Which finding is considered within normal limits?

A) Two arteries and one vein
B) Two arteries and two veins
C) Two veins and one artery
D) One artery and one vein

Question 16

A woman who is 16 weeks pregnant asks the nurse,"Is it possible to tell by ultrasound if the baby is a boy or girl yet?" The best answer is

A) "A baby's sex is determined as soon as conception occurs, and the differences are apparent."
B) "The baby has developed enough that we can determine the sex by examining the genitals through ultrasound."
C) "Boys and girls look alike until approximately 20 weeks after conception, and then they begin to look different."
D) "It might be possible to determine your baby's sex, but the external organs look very similar right now."

Question 17

The nursing faculty explains to students that the upper uterus is the best place for the fertilized ovum to implant because it is here that the

A) placenta attaches most firmly.
B) developing baby is best nourished.
C) uterine endometrium is softer.
D) maternal blood flow is lower.

Question 18

Which statement related to oogenesis is correct?

A) Two million primary oocytes will mature.
B) At birth, all ova are contained in the female's ovaries.
C) The oocytes complete their division during fetal life.
D) Monthly, at least two oocytes mature.

Question 19

The purpose of the ovum's zona pellucida is to

A) make a pathway for more than one sperm to reach the ovum.
B) allow the 46 chromosomes from each gamete to merge.
C) prevent multiple sperm from fertilizing the ovum.
D) stimulate the ovum to begin mitotic cell division.

Question 20

Which part of the mature sperm contains the male chromosomes?

A) The head of the sperm
B) The middle portion of the sperm
C) X-bearing sperm
D) The tail of the sperm

Question 21

What does the student learn about recent trends in multiple births?

A) The rate of twin births has declined.
B) The rate of higher order pregnancies has increased.
C) Higher order pregnancies are now very rare.
D) Twinning is the most common form of multiple pregnancy.

Question 22

The nursing faculty teaches that the placenta produces many hormones necessary for normal pregnancy.These include (Select all that apply.)

A) human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
B) insulin.
C) estrogen.
D) progesterone.
E) testosterone.

Question 23

The student learns about shunts that support fetal circulation.Which of the following are included in this support system? (Select all that apply.)

A) Ductus venosus
B) Foramen ovale
C) Ductus arteriosus
D) Foramen magnum
E) Ductus deferens

Question 24

The nurse assesses pregnant women for exposure to human teratogens,including which of the following? (Select all that apply.)

A) Infections
B) Radiation
C) Maternal conditions
D) Drugs
E) Chemicals

Question 25

The nursing faculty explains that the fetus can survive in a low-oxygen environment due to which of the following? (Select all that apply.)

A) Fetal hemoglobin carries more oxygen than an adult's.
B) The fetus has higher average hemoglobin and hematocrit.
C) Hemoglobin carries more oxygen at low partial pressures of carbon dioxide.
D) Fetal blood is more acidic than the maternal blood.
E) The fetus does not need gas exchange while in utero.