Question 1

Drugs, viruses, pollutants, malnutrition, and stress during pregnancy are referred to as "______."

Accepted Answer

Teratogens are substances or conditions that can interfere with prenatal development and cause malformations or functional problems in the fetus. The other options are not specific to prenatal development and do not necessarily involve harm to the fetus. Threshold effects refer to the point at which a stimulus becomes strong enough to produce a response. Risk factors increase the likelihood of a negative outcome but do not cause it directly. Vulnerability factors can increase susceptibility to certain conditions or disorders, but they do not necessarily affect fetal development.

Question 2

By age 3, children born by cesarean section are twice as likely to _____.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that children born by c-section are at a higher risk for obesity, as they miss out on the natural bacteria exposure during a vaginal birth, which has been linked to better metabolism and a healthier weight.

Question 3

In which of the following countries are home births most common? _____

Accepted Answer

The Netherlands has a culture and healthcare system that strongly supports home birth, making it the country where home births are most common. The rates of home births in Canada, England, and the United States are much lower.

Question 4

Newborn Kendrell received an Apgar score of 4. This score indicates that Kendrell is ______.

Accepted Answer

Apgar scores range from 0 to 10, with scores between 7 and 10 indicating that the newborn is in good health. A score of 4 or below suggests that the baby requires immediate medical attention. Therefore, option B (in need of emergency care) is the correct answer.

Question 5

Which of the following is TRUE regarding rates for cesarean sections and epidurals? _____

Accepted Answer

Rates for cesarean sections and epidurals vary by doctor and by hospital. This is because different doctors and hospitals may have different policies and preferences regarding these procedures. While overall rates may have changed over time, there is still significant variation among healthcare providers and facilities. The statement that rates are higher for births attended by midwives is not necessarily true and is not supported by evidence.

Question 6

Compared to vaginal births, c-section births _____.

Accepted Answer

C-section births have a higher risk of complications such as infection, blood loss, and injury to internal organs. They also require a longer recovery time for the mother. However, they may be necessary in certain situations such as a high-risk pregnancy or when labor is not progressing.

Question 7

Epidurals, often used in hospital births to manage pain during childbirth, have been shown to _____.

Accepted Answer

A study published in the journal Pediatrics found that epidurals can lead to a decreased readiness to suck in newborns, which may make breastfeeding more difficult in the first few days after birth. The other options (A, B, and D) are not directly related to the effects of epidurals on newborns.

Question 8

Labor that is started, speeded, or strengthened with a drug is referred to as "_____."

Accepted Answer

Induced labor is the correct term for labor that is started, speeded, or strengthened with a drug. A home birth is a choice of location for giving birth, a cesarean section is a surgical procedure used to deliver a baby, and an epidural is a method of pain relief during labor.

Question 9

Dr. Lopez is a researcher who focuses on teratology. Teratology is the science of ______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Dr. Lopez is a researcher who focuses...

Question 10

Holly was two weeks over her due date. The doctor decided it was best for Holly to _____ labor due to the increasing size of the fetus.

Accepted Answer

The doctor decided to induce labor, which means to artificially initiate, stimulate or accelerate labor contractions. This was done due to the increasing size of the fetus and being two weeks over the due date. "Postpone" means delaying, "forego" means to give up or do without, and "decrease" means to make something smaller or reduce.

Question 11

A baby is assessed at one minute after birth using the Apgar scale. Three of the five vital signs are good, but the baby is weak and inactive and grimaces. The two vital signs the medical team is concerned about are _____.

Accepted Answer

The Apgar score measures five vital signs of a newborn: muscle tone, heartbeat, respiratory effect, reflex irritability, and color. Each of these is scored on a scale of 0-2, resulting in a total possible score of 10. In this scenario, the baby has good muscle tone, heartbeat, and color, but weak reflex irritability and respiratory effect. Therefore, the two vital signs the medical team is concerned about are muscle tone and reflex irritability. These two signs suggest that the baby may not be breathing well on their own and may need assistance.

Question 12

With respect to prenatal development, teratogens _____ prenatal abnormalities.

Accepted Answer

Teratogens are substances or agents that can cause prenatal abnormalities or birth defects if the mother is exposed to them during pregnancy. They increase the risk of such abnormalities, but do not always guarantee them.

Question 13

Currently in the United States, newborn mortality is about 1 in ___.

Accepted Answer

The newborn mortality rate in the United States is approximately 1 in 250, which translates to about 4 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Question 14

Chantal and her husband are considering having a baby. Chantal's obstetrician recommends that she stop using alcohol and update her immunizations _____.

Accepted Answer

It is recommended for women to stop using alcohol and update their immunizations before they become pregnant. This is important for the health of the developing baby.

Question 15

In the United States, more than _____ of births occur via c-section.

Accepted Answer

In the United States, more than one-third of births occur via c-section, which is a significant portion but not as high as one-half or more.

Question 16

Jill is 5 years old. She has been diagnosed with ADHD and shows signs of learning problems. Her pediatrician suggests that Jill's problems could be the result of prenatal exposure to _____, though he stresses that the link is not straightforward at this time.

Accepted Answer

Behavioral teratogens are substances that can cause behavioral or developmental problems in a child due to prenatal exposure. ADHD and learning problems can be linked to such exposures.

Question 17

A teratogen is any agent or condition that increases the risk for _____.

Accepted Answer

Teratogens are substances that can cause physical or functional abnormalities in a developing fetus. Thus, they increase the risk for prenatal abnormalities, such as birth defects or developmental disabilities. Teratogens do not necessarily affect the placenta, chromosomes, or male fertility.

Question 18

Lin, in labor with her first child, is in a great deal of pain and has been experiencing strong contractions for nearly 12 hours with little progress toward birth. Although Lin was hoping for a natural birth, her doctor has urged her to use an epidural. Which of the following problems occurs most often following an epidural?

Accepted Answer

The most common problem associated with epidurals is that it can slow down the labor process, potentially leading to the need for interventions like Pitocin or even a C-section. The other choices are incorrect as there is no evidence to support them.

Question 19

Rita is one month pregnant and consults with her doctor about the different categories of teratogens. The doctor tells her that all of the following are categories of teratogens EXCEPT _____.

Accepted Answer

Immunizations are not considered teratogens as they do not have a harmful impact on fetal development. However, certain drugs, pollutants, and viruses can have teratogenic effects on a developing fetus.

Question 20

The Apgar scale is used at one minute and five minutes after birth to _____.

Accepted Answer

The Apgar scale is used to evaluate the health of the newborn at one minute and five minutes after birth. It assesses the newborn's heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflexes, and skin color. It does not evaluate the mother's health or recovery, nor does it assess the newborn's sensory abilities.

Quiz 4: Prenatal Development and Birth