NRNP 6552 MIDTERM EXAM 2026/2027 | Advanced
Nurse Practice in Reproductive Health Care | Newest
Latest Update | Comprehensive | Pass Guaranteed - A+
Graded
Section 1: Reproductive Anatomy, Physiology & Embryology (Questions 1-20)
Q1. A 24-year-old client asks about the hormonal events that trigger ovulation. Which
hormone surge is responsible for triggering the release of the mature oocyte from the
Graafian follicle?
A. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) surge
B. Luteinizing hormone (LH) surge
C. Progesterone surge
D. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) surge
B. Luteinizing hormone (LH) surge [CORRECT]
Rationale: The midcycle LH surge, triggered by rising estradiol levels from the dominant
follicle, is the immediate stimulus for ovulation. FSH supports follicular development
but does not trigger oocyte release. Progesterone dominates the luteal phase. GnRH is
pulsatile, not surging.
Correct Answer: B
Q2. During the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, which hormone is primarily
responsible for endometrial proliferation?
A. Progesterone
B. Estradiol
C. Inhibin B
D. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
B. Estradiol [CORRECT]
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Rationale: Estradiol, produced by the developing ovarian follicles during the follicular
phase, stimulates endometrial proliferation (thickening of the functionalis layer).
Progesterone dominates the secretory phase. Inhibin B suppresses FSH. hCG is
produced by the placenta after implantation.
Correct Answer: B
Q3. A nurse practitioner is explaining the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis to
a client. Which statement correctly describes negative feedback during the luteal phase?
A. High estradiol and progesterone from the corpus luteum suppress GnRH pulsatility
and FSH/LH secretion
B. Low estradiol stimulates increased GnRH pulsatility and FSH release
C. Progesterone stimulates GnRH pulsatility to maintain the corpus luteum
D. Inhibin A has no effect on pituitary function during the luteal phase
A. High estradiol and progesterone from the corpus luteum suppress GnRH pulsatility
and FSH/LH secretion [CORRECT]
Rationale: During the luteal phase, high levels of estradiol and progesterone from the
corpus luteum exert negative feedback on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary,
suppressing GnRH pulsatility and FSH/LH secretion. If pregnancy does not occur,
corpus luteum regression causes progesterone withdrawal, triggering menses. Inhibin A
also suppresses FSH.
Correct Answer: A
Q4. Which structure produces human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) following
implantation?
A. Corpus luteum
B. Syncytiotrophoblast
C. Decidua basalis
D. Granulosa cells
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B. Syncytiotrophoblast [CORRECT]
Rationale: The syncytiotrophoblast, the outer layer of the blastocyst that invades the
endometrium, produces hCG beginning approximately 6-8 days after fertilization. hCG
maintains the corpus luteum, which continues progesterone production until the
placenta takes over at 8-10 weeks. The decidua basalis forms the maternal portion of
the placenta.
Correct Answer: B
Q5. During oogenesis, at what stage does the primary oocyte arrest until puberty?
A. Prophase I of meiosis
B. Metaphase II of meiosis
C. Anaphase I of meiosis
D. Telophase II of meiosis
A. Prophase I of meiosis [CORRECT]
Rationale: Primary oocytes arrest in prophase I of meiosis during fetal development and
remain dormant until puberty, when each menstrual cycle resumes meiosis I in the
dominant follicle. The secondary oocyte arrests in metaphase II and only completes
meiosis II if fertilized by sperm.
Correct Answer: A
Q6. A client asks when implantation typically occurs after fertilization. Which response
is correct?
A. 12-24 hours after fertilization
B. 6-10 days after fertilization
C. 14 days after fertilization
D. 21 days after fertilization
B. 6-10 days after fertilization [CORRECT]
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Rationale: Implantation of the blastocyst into the endometrium typically occurs 6-10
days after fertilization (days 20-24 of a 28-day cycle). The trophoblast invades the
endometrial lining, and hCG production begins shortly after. Implantation outside this
window may result in early pregnancy loss.
Correct Answer: B
Q7. Which hormone is responsible for the transformation of the endometrium from the
proliferative to the secretory phase?
A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Testosterone
D. Prolactin
B. Progesterone [CORRECT]
Rationale: Progesterone, produced by the corpus luteum after ovulation, transforms the
estrogen-primed proliferative endometrium into a secretory endometrium with
glycogen-rich glands and increased vascularization, preparing for potential
implantation. Without progesterone, the endometrium cannot support implantation.
Correct Answer: B
Q8. A nurse practitioner is counseling a client about the menstrual cycle. Which event
marks the transition from the follicular phase to the luteal phase?
A. The first day of menstruation
B. Ovulation
C. The peak of FSH
D. The onset of progesterone withdrawal
B. Ovulation [CORRECT]