NUR 2513 / NUR2513: Maternal-Child Nursing Exam 1
Latest Update 2026/2027 | Rasmussen College |
100% Correct
Verified Questions & Answers with Rationales
Section 1: Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology
Q1: The nurse is teaching a health class about the female reproductive cycle. Which phase of the
menstrual cycle is characterized by shedding of the endometrial lining due to decreased levels of
estrogen and progesterone?
A. Proliferative phase
B. Secretory phase
C. Menstrual phase [CORRECT]
D. Ovulatory phase
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The menstrual phase (days 1 to 5 of a typical 28-day cycle) occurs when the corpus
luteum degenerates, causing a sharp drop in estrogen and progesterone. This hormonal
withdrawal causes the functional layer of the endometrium to shed, resulting in menstrual
bleeding. The proliferative phase involves endometrial regrowth under the influence of estrogen.
Q2: A couple is trying to conceive. The nurse explains that fertilization of the ovum by the sperm
typically occurs in which anatomical structure?
A. Endometrium of the uterus
B. Ampulla of the fallopian tube [CORRECT]
C. Fimbriae of the fallopian tube
D. Cervical canal
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Fertilization typically takes place in the ampulla, which is the widest and longest
section of the fallopian tube. After ovulation, the ovum is swept into the tube by the fimbriae,
where it meets sperm that have traveled through the cervix and uterus. The fertilized ovum
(zygote) then travels to the uterus for implantation.
Q3: A pregnant patient at 10 weeks' gestation asks the nurse what hormone is primarily
responsible for maintaining the pregnancy until the placenta takes over. The nurse's best response
is:
A. Progesterone [CORRECT]
B. Estrogen
C. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
D. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is produced by the chorionic villi and is the
primary hormone responsible for maintaining the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum then
continues to produce progesterone and estrogen until approximately 10 to 12 weeks of gestation,
when the placenta becomes fully functional and takes over hormonal production. hCG is also the
hormone detected in pregnancy tests.
Q4: The nurse is assessing a patient's understanding of the menstrual cycle. Which statement by
the patient indicates a correct understanding of the proliferative phase?
A. "This phase is when the endometrium becomes thick and vascular to prepare for
potential implantation." [CORRECT]
B. "This phase occurs immediately after ovulation and is driven by progesterone."
C. "During this phase, the blood vessels in the endometrium constrict, causing myometrial
contractions."
D. "This phase is when the follicle matures and releases the ovum."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The proliferative phase occurs from approximately day 6 to day 14 and is driven by
rising estrogen levels produced by the developing ovarian follicle. Estrogen causes the
endometrium to rapidly regenerate, thicken, and become highly vascular. Option B describes the
secretory phase; Option C describes the menstrual phase; Option D describes ovulation.
, Q5: Select all that apply: The nurse is describing the functions of the female reproductive organs.
Which of the following are accurate descriptions of the ovaries' functions?
A. Production of ova (eggs) [CORRECT]
B. Secretion of estrogen and progesterone [CORRECT]
C. Site of fertilization
D. Secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH)
E. Formation of the corpus luteum after ovulation [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: A, B, E
Rationale: The ovaries are the primary female gonads responsible for producing and releasing
ova during ovulation (A) and secreting the primary female sex hormones, estrogen and
progesterone (B). After an ovum is released, the remaining follicular cells transform into the
corpus luteum (E), which secretes progesterone to maintain early pregnancy. Fertilization occurs
in the fallopian tube, not the ovary, and LH is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, not the
ovaries.
Section 2: Prenatal Care and Fetal Development
Q6: A pregnant patient at 12 weeks' gestation asks the nurse what developments are occurring
with her baby. Which response by the nurse is most accurate regarding first-trimester fetal
development?
A. "Your baby's lungs are fully mature, and it is practicing breathing movements."
B. "The sex organs are differentiating, and the baby's heart is beating." [CORRECT]
C. "Your baby is developing vernix caseosa to protect the skin from amniotic fluid."
D. "The baby is depositing brown fat to help regulate temperature after birth."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: By the end of the first trimester (12 weeks), all major organ systems have begun to
form, the heart has been beating since week 5, and external genitalia have differentiated enough
to determine sex. Lungs mature in the third trimester, vernix develops in the late second/third
trimesters, and brown fat is deposited in the third trimester.
Latest Update 2026/2027 | Rasmussen College |
100% Correct
Verified Questions & Answers with Rationales
Section 1: Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology
Q1: The nurse is teaching a health class about the female reproductive cycle. Which phase of the
menstrual cycle is characterized by shedding of the endometrial lining due to decreased levels of
estrogen and progesterone?
A. Proliferative phase
B. Secretory phase
C. Menstrual phase [CORRECT]
D. Ovulatory phase
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The menstrual phase (days 1 to 5 of a typical 28-day cycle) occurs when the corpus
luteum degenerates, causing a sharp drop in estrogen and progesterone. This hormonal
withdrawal causes the functional layer of the endometrium to shed, resulting in menstrual
bleeding. The proliferative phase involves endometrial regrowth under the influence of estrogen.
Q2: A couple is trying to conceive. The nurse explains that fertilization of the ovum by the sperm
typically occurs in which anatomical structure?
A. Endometrium of the uterus
B. Ampulla of the fallopian tube [CORRECT]
C. Fimbriae of the fallopian tube
D. Cervical canal
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Fertilization typically takes place in the ampulla, which is the widest and longest
section of the fallopian tube. After ovulation, the ovum is swept into the tube by the fimbriae,
where it meets sperm that have traveled through the cervix and uterus. The fertilized ovum
(zygote) then travels to the uterus for implantation.
Q3: A pregnant patient at 10 weeks' gestation asks the nurse what hormone is primarily
responsible for maintaining the pregnancy until the placenta takes over. The nurse's best response
is:
A. Progesterone [CORRECT]
B. Estrogen
C. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
D. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is produced by the chorionic villi and is the
primary hormone responsible for maintaining the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum then
continues to produce progesterone and estrogen until approximately 10 to 12 weeks of gestation,
when the placenta becomes fully functional and takes over hormonal production. hCG is also the
hormone detected in pregnancy tests.
Q4: The nurse is assessing a patient's understanding of the menstrual cycle. Which statement by
the patient indicates a correct understanding of the proliferative phase?
A. "This phase is when the endometrium becomes thick and vascular to prepare for
potential implantation." [CORRECT]
B. "This phase occurs immediately after ovulation and is driven by progesterone."
C. "During this phase, the blood vessels in the endometrium constrict, causing myometrial
contractions."
D. "This phase is when the follicle matures and releases the ovum."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The proliferative phase occurs from approximately day 6 to day 14 and is driven by
rising estrogen levels produced by the developing ovarian follicle. Estrogen causes the
endometrium to rapidly regenerate, thicken, and become highly vascular. Option B describes the
secretory phase; Option C describes the menstrual phase; Option D describes ovulation.
, Q5: Select all that apply: The nurse is describing the functions of the female reproductive organs.
Which of the following are accurate descriptions of the ovaries' functions?
A. Production of ova (eggs) [CORRECT]
B. Secretion of estrogen and progesterone [CORRECT]
C. Site of fertilization
D. Secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH)
E. Formation of the corpus luteum after ovulation [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: A, B, E
Rationale: The ovaries are the primary female gonads responsible for producing and releasing
ova during ovulation (A) and secreting the primary female sex hormones, estrogen and
progesterone (B). After an ovum is released, the remaining follicular cells transform into the
corpus luteum (E), which secretes progesterone to maintain early pregnancy. Fertilization occurs
in the fallopian tube, not the ovary, and LH is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, not the
ovaries.
Section 2: Prenatal Care and Fetal Development
Q6: A pregnant patient at 12 weeks' gestation asks the nurse what developments are occurring
with her baby. Which response by the nurse is most accurate regarding first-trimester fetal
development?
A. "Your baby's lungs are fully mature, and it is practicing breathing movements."
B. "The sex organs are differentiating, and the baby's heart is beating." [CORRECT]
C. "Your baby is developing vernix caseosa to protect the skin from amniotic fluid."
D. "The baby is depositing brown fat to help regulate temperature after birth."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: By the end of the first trimester (12 weeks), all major organ systems have begun to
form, the heart has been beating since week 5, and external genitalia have differentiated enough
to determine sex. Lungs mature in the third trimester, vernix develops in the late second/third
trimesters, and brown fat is deposited in the third trimester.
