,Current Diagnosis & Treatment:
Obstetrics & Gynecology, 12th Edition
Chapter 1. Anatomy of the Female Reproductive System
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A postpartum client who had a vaginal birth asks the nurse, Will my cervix return to
its previous shape before I had my baby? Which is the best response by the nurse?
a. The cervix will now have a slitlike shape.
b. The cervix will be round and smooth after healing occurs.
c. The cervix will remain 50% effaced now that you have had a baby.
d. The cervix will be slightly dilated to 2 cm for about 6 months.
ANS: A
After vaginal birth, the external os has an irregular slitlike shape and may have tags of scar
tissue. The external os of a childless woman is round and smooth, but after a vaginal birth it will
not be round and smooth. During labor, the cervix effaces (thins) and dilates (opens) to allow
passage of the fetus. Once the baby is born, the cervix will close and return to close to 100%
effacement.
2. The school nurse is conducting health education classes for a group of adolescents. Which
statement best describes a secondary sexual characteristic?
a. Maturation of ova
b. Production of sperm
c. Female breast development
d. Secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone
ANS: C
A secondary sexual characteristic is one not directly related to reproduction, such as
development of the characteristic female body form. Maturation of ova is directly related to
reproduction and is a primary sexual characteristic. Production of sperm is directly related to
reproduction and is a primary sexual characteristic. Secretion of hormones is directly related to
reproduction and is a primary sexual characteristic.
3. Which 16-year-old girl may experience secondary amenorrhea?
a. Jackie, 5 ft 2 in, 130 lb
b. Karen, 5 ft 9 in, 150 lb
c. Carol, 5 ft 7 in, 96 lb
d. Linda, 5 ft 4 in, 120 lb
ANS: C
,Because of her height and low body weight, Carol is at risk of developing secondary
amenorrhea, which occurs in women who are thin and have a low percentage of body fat. Fat is
necessary to make the sex hormones that stimulate ovulation and menstruation. Jackie, Karen,
and Linda are of sufficient height and weight to promote sex hormone production.
4. Which describes the levator ani?
a. Division of the fallopian tube
b. Collection of three pairs of muscles
c. Imaginary line that divides the true pelvis and false pelvis
d. Basin-shaped structure at the lower end of the spine
ANS: B
The levator ani is a collection of three pairs of muscles that support internal pelvic structures and
resist increases in intraabdominal pressure. The fallopian tube divisions are the interstitial
portion, isthmus, ampulla, and infundibulum. The linea terminalis is the imaginary line that
divides the false from the true pelvis. The basin-shaped structure at the lower end of the spine is
the bony pelvis.
5. The nurse is describing the size and shape of the nonpregnant uterus to a client. Which is an
accurate description?
a. The nonpregnant uterus is the size and shape of a pear.
b. The nonpregnant uterus is the size and shape of a cantaloupe.
c. The nonpregnant uterus is the size and shape of a grapefruit.
d. The nonpregnant uterus is the size and shape of a large orange.
ANS: A
The nonpregnant uterus is about 7.5 5 2.5 cm, which is close to the size and shape of a pear. A
cantaloupe would be too large and is the wrong shape for the uterus. A grapefruit is too large for
the nonpregnant uterus; the uterus is larger at the upper end and tapers down. An orange may be
the appropriate size, but it is not the appropriate shape.
6. If a womans menstrual cycle began on June 2, on which date should ovulation mostly likely
have occurred?
a. June 10
b. June 16
c. June 29
d. July 5
ANS: B
, June 16 would be 18 days into the cycle; ovulation should have occurred at this point. June 10
would just be 8 days into the cycle and too early for ovulation. Ovulation occurs about 12 to 14
days after the beginning of the next menstrual period in a 28-day cycle; ovulation normally
occurs about 14 days before the beginning of the next period. June 29 is at the end of the cycle.
July 5 would be 27 days into the cycle and about time for the next period.
7. A client states, My breasts are so small. I dont think I will be able to breastfeed. Which is the
nurses best response?
a. It may be difficult but you should try anyway.
b. You can always supplement with formula.
c. All women have about the same amount of glandular tissue to secrete milk.
d. The ability to produce breast milk depends on increased levels of estrogen and progesterone.
ANS: C
All women have 15 to 20 lobes arranged around and behind the nipple and areola. These lobes,
not the size of the breast, are responsible for milk production. The size of the breasts does not
ensure success or failure in breastfeeding. Supplementation decreases the production of breast
milk by decreasing stimulation. Stimulation of the breast, not the size of the breast, brings about
milk production. Increased levels of estrogen decrease the production of milk by affecting
prolactin.
8. The nurse is explaining the function of the males cremaster muscle to a group of nursing
students. Which statement accurately describes the function of the cremaster muscle?
a. Assists with transporting sperm
b. Aids in temperature control of the testicles
c. Aids in voluntary control of excretion of urine
d. Entraps blood in the penis to produce an erection
ANS: B
A cremaster muscle is attached to each testicle. Its function is to bring the testicle closer to the
body to warm it or allow it to fall away from the body to cool it, thus promoting normal sperm
production. Seminal fluid assists with transporting sperm. The urinary meatus aids in controlling
the excretion of urine. Entrapment of the blood in the penis is caused by its spongy tissue.
9. A newly pregnant client asks the nurse, What is the false pelvis? Which is a correct statement
that the nurse should give the client?
a. It is the total anterior portion of the pelvis.
b. It is considered to be the lower portion of the pelvis.
Obstetrics & Gynecology, 12th Edition
Chapter 1. Anatomy of the Female Reproductive System
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A postpartum client who had a vaginal birth asks the nurse, Will my cervix return to
its previous shape before I had my baby? Which is the best response by the nurse?
a. The cervix will now have a slitlike shape.
b. The cervix will be round and smooth after healing occurs.
c. The cervix will remain 50% effaced now that you have had a baby.
d. The cervix will be slightly dilated to 2 cm for about 6 months.
ANS: A
After vaginal birth, the external os has an irregular slitlike shape and may have tags of scar
tissue. The external os of a childless woman is round and smooth, but after a vaginal birth it will
not be round and smooth. During labor, the cervix effaces (thins) and dilates (opens) to allow
passage of the fetus. Once the baby is born, the cervix will close and return to close to 100%
effacement.
2. The school nurse is conducting health education classes for a group of adolescents. Which
statement best describes a secondary sexual characteristic?
a. Maturation of ova
b. Production of sperm
c. Female breast development
d. Secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone
ANS: C
A secondary sexual characteristic is one not directly related to reproduction, such as
development of the characteristic female body form. Maturation of ova is directly related to
reproduction and is a primary sexual characteristic. Production of sperm is directly related to
reproduction and is a primary sexual characteristic. Secretion of hormones is directly related to
reproduction and is a primary sexual characteristic.
3. Which 16-year-old girl may experience secondary amenorrhea?
a. Jackie, 5 ft 2 in, 130 lb
b. Karen, 5 ft 9 in, 150 lb
c. Carol, 5 ft 7 in, 96 lb
d. Linda, 5 ft 4 in, 120 lb
ANS: C
,Because of her height and low body weight, Carol is at risk of developing secondary
amenorrhea, which occurs in women who are thin and have a low percentage of body fat. Fat is
necessary to make the sex hormones that stimulate ovulation and menstruation. Jackie, Karen,
and Linda are of sufficient height and weight to promote sex hormone production.
4. Which describes the levator ani?
a. Division of the fallopian tube
b. Collection of three pairs of muscles
c. Imaginary line that divides the true pelvis and false pelvis
d. Basin-shaped structure at the lower end of the spine
ANS: B
The levator ani is a collection of three pairs of muscles that support internal pelvic structures and
resist increases in intraabdominal pressure. The fallopian tube divisions are the interstitial
portion, isthmus, ampulla, and infundibulum. The linea terminalis is the imaginary line that
divides the false from the true pelvis. The basin-shaped structure at the lower end of the spine is
the bony pelvis.
5. The nurse is describing the size and shape of the nonpregnant uterus to a client. Which is an
accurate description?
a. The nonpregnant uterus is the size and shape of a pear.
b. The nonpregnant uterus is the size and shape of a cantaloupe.
c. The nonpregnant uterus is the size and shape of a grapefruit.
d. The nonpregnant uterus is the size and shape of a large orange.
ANS: A
The nonpregnant uterus is about 7.5 5 2.5 cm, which is close to the size and shape of a pear. A
cantaloupe would be too large and is the wrong shape for the uterus. A grapefruit is too large for
the nonpregnant uterus; the uterus is larger at the upper end and tapers down. An orange may be
the appropriate size, but it is not the appropriate shape.
6. If a womans menstrual cycle began on June 2, on which date should ovulation mostly likely
have occurred?
a. June 10
b. June 16
c. June 29
d. July 5
ANS: B
, June 16 would be 18 days into the cycle; ovulation should have occurred at this point. June 10
would just be 8 days into the cycle and too early for ovulation. Ovulation occurs about 12 to 14
days after the beginning of the next menstrual period in a 28-day cycle; ovulation normally
occurs about 14 days before the beginning of the next period. June 29 is at the end of the cycle.
July 5 would be 27 days into the cycle and about time for the next period.
7. A client states, My breasts are so small. I dont think I will be able to breastfeed. Which is the
nurses best response?
a. It may be difficult but you should try anyway.
b. You can always supplement with formula.
c. All women have about the same amount of glandular tissue to secrete milk.
d. The ability to produce breast milk depends on increased levels of estrogen and progesterone.
ANS: C
All women have 15 to 20 lobes arranged around and behind the nipple and areola. These lobes,
not the size of the breast, are responsible for milk production. The size of the breasts does not
ensure success or failure in breastfeeding. Supplementation decreases the production of breast
milk by decreasing stimulation. Stimulation of the breast, not the size of the breast, brings about
milk production. Increased levels of estrogen decrease the production of milk by affecting
prolactin.
8. The nurse is explaining the function of the males cremaster muscle to a group of nursing
students. Which statement accurately describes the function of the cremaster muscle?
a. Assists with transporting sperm
b. Aids in temperature control of the testicles
c. Aids in voluntary control of excretion of urine
d. Entraps blood in the penis to produce an erection
ANS: B
A cremaster muscle is attached to each testicle. Its function is to bring the testicle closer to the
body to warm it or allow it to fall away from the body to cool it, thus promoting normal sperm
production. Seminal fluid assists with transporting sperm. The urinary meatus aids in controlling
the excretion of urine. Entrapment of the blood in the penis is caused by its spongy tissue.
9. A newly pregnant client asks the nurse, What is the false pelvis? Which is a correct statement
that the nurse should give the client?
a. It is the total anterior portion of the pelvis.
b. It is considered to be the lower portion of the pelvis.
