ACCUPLACER READING
COMPREHENSION ACTUAL EXAM PAPER
2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED A+
⩥ Describe the fetal response to mothers with diabetes.
Answer: Because glucose crosses the placenta, the baby's BG increases
as the mom's does. Insulin does not cross the placenta and the fetal
pancreas does not produce it until 20 weeks. So, before insulin
production, the increased BG leads to restricted growth. Once the insulin
is produced, it produces rapidly to respond to the high BG, and these
high levels trigger rapid fetal growth—> hepatosplenomegaly,
cardiomegaly, increased head size
⩥ What is commonly seen in IDM immediately after birth? Why?.
Answer: Hypoglycemia
The sudden withdrawal from maternal glucose + continued production
of insulin
⩥ What conditions does an IDM present with?.
Answer: Birth trauma r/t cephalopelvic disproportion
Hypoglycemia
RDS because inc insulin inhibits surfactant production
,Polycythemia & hyperviscosity bc inc insulin & BG inc metabolic rate
and oxygen consumption
Iron deficiency bc polycythemia leaches iron
Hyperbilirubinemia from inc rbc destruction
CV & congenital malformations
Electrolyte disturbances (low Ca and Mg)
⩥ What is pre-eclampsia?.
Answer: Inc BP, proteinuria, edema that occurs around 20 week's
gestation
⩥ What's the initial tx for pre-eclampsia?.
Answer: Mag sulfate to prevent maternal sz
If severe—premature delivery
⩥ What complications occur to fetus with a mother suffering from pre-
eclampsia? Why?.
Answer: IUGR— longstanding HTN causes uteroplacental vascular
insufficiency which impairs transfer of nutrients and oxygen which
causes IUGR and inc mortality
⩥ What is the purpose of amniotic fluid and how is it produced? When?.
Answer: To cushion fetus and allow normal development of lungs
,Produced mainly by fetus' excretion of urine and fluids excreted by
respiratory tract & oral/nasal cavity
Around 20 week's
⩥ What is oligohydramnios? What conditions are associated with it?.
Answer: Decreased AF
UT anomalies like obstructive uropathy, renal agenesis, polycystic
kidneys
Pulmonary hypoplasia
Pressure deformities
Compression of umbilical cord & hypoxia
Mecon staining (remember hypoxia causes release of mecon in utero)
Post-term gestation
Leaking AF, prolonged or premature ROM
⩥ What is polyhydramnios & what is it associated with?.
Answer: Increased AF
TEF, EA, duodenal atresia
Anencephaly
CNS abnormalities that impair swallow
Twin-twin transfusion
, Macrosomia
Fetal/neonatal hydrops & assoc CV rhythms
Trisomy 21, 18, 13
Skeletal malformations
Inc risk for prolapsed cord/placental abruption
⩥ What is the biochemical marker useful in predicting preterm birth?.
Answer: Fibronectins
⩥ What is the best indicator of fetal oxygenation status during labor as
seen on electric fetal monitoring?.
Answer: Variability
⩥ What are the five parts of the biophysical profile?.
Answer: Fetal tone, breathing, movement; no stress test, amniotic fluid
volume
⩥ When should one have a glucose screening during pregnancy if
they're at low risk for developing GD?.
Answer: 24-28 weeks
⩥ When women give birth sitting upright, what shows lower values in
cord blood?.
COMPREHENSION ACTUAL EXAM PAPER
2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED A+
⩥ Describe the fetal response to mothers with diabetes.
Answer: Because glucose crosses the placenta, the baby's BG increases
as the mom's does. Insulin does not cross the placenta and the fetal
pancreas does not produce it until 20 weeks. So, before insulin
production, the increased BG leads to restricted growth. Once the insulin
is produced, it produces rapidly to respond to the high BG, and these
high levels trigger rapid fetal growth—> hepatosplenomegaly,
cardiomegaly, increased head size
⩥ What is commonly seen in IDM immediately after birth? Why?.
Answer: Hypoglycemia
The sudden withdrawal from maternal glucose + continued production
of insulin
⩥ What conditions does an IDM present with?.
Answer: Birth trauma r/t cephalopelvic disproportion
Hypoglycemia
RDS because inc insulin inhibits surfactant production
,Polycythemia & hyperviscosity bc inc insulin & BG inc metabolic rate
and oxygen consumption
Iron deficiency bc polycythemia leaches iron
Hyperbilirubinemia from inc rbc destruction
CV & congenital malformations
Electrolyte disturbances (low Ca and Mg)
⩥ What is pre-eclampsia?.
Answer: Inc BP, proteinuria, edema that occurs around 20 week's
gestation
⩥ What's the initial tx for pre-eclampsia?.
Answer: Mag sulfate to prevent maternal sz
If severe—premature delivery
⩥ What complications occur to fetus with a mother suffering from pre-
eclampsia? Why?.
Answer: IUGR— longstanding HTN causes uteroplacental vascular
insufficiency which impairs transfer of nutrients and oxygen which
causes IUGR and inc mortality
⩥ What is the purpose of amniotic fluid and how is it produced? When?.
Answer: To cushion fetus and allow normal development of lungs
,Produced mainly by fetus' excretion of urine and fluids excreted by
respiratory tract & oral/nasal cavity
Around 20 week's
⩥ What is oligohydramnios? What conditions are associated with it?.
Answer: Decreased AF
UT anomalies like obstructive uropathy, renal agenesis, polycystic
kidneys
Pulmonary hypoplasia
Pressure deformities
Compression of umbilical cord & hypoxia
Mecon staining (remember hypoxia causes release of mecon in utero)
Post-term gestation
Leaking AF, prolonged or premature ROM
⩥ What is polyhydramnios & what is it associated with?.
Answer: Increased AF
TEF, EA, duodenal atresia
Anencephaly
CNS abnormalities that impair swallow
Twin-twin transfusion
, Macrosomia
Fetal/neonatal hydrops & assoc CV rhythms
Trisomy 21, 18, 13
Skeletal malformations
Inc risk for prolapsed cord/placental abruption
⩥ What is the biochemical marker useful in predicting preterm birth?.
Answer: Fibronectins
⩥ What is the best indicator of fetal oxygenation status during labor as
seen on electric fetal monitoring?.
Answer: Variability
⩥ What are the five parts of the biophysical profile?.
Answer: Fetal tone, breathing, movement; no stress test, amniotic fluid
volume
⩥ When should one have a glucose screening during pregnancy if
they're at low risk for developing GD?.
Answer: 24-28 weeks
⩥ When women give birth sitting upright, what shows lower values in
cord blood?.
