MATERNITY EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE | COMPLETE MATERNAL-NEWBORN NURSING
EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
Briefly describe the female pelvic anatomy - ANS ✔✔-the broad ligament covers the uterus; it becomes a
sheet that anchors the the pelvic bone
-ovary and fallopian tube are not connected
-uterine artery brings blood
-cervix is always closed; however, 5 days before ovulation, it become softer; the mucus plug gets runny
and makes it easier for sperm to pass
-round ligaments cause pain when the patient may roll over
Menstruation Overview:
-how long a cycle is
-how many days of bleeding
-average blood loss
-how many times the cycle is repeated in a woman's life - ANS ✔✔-cycles vary in frequency; from 21-40
days (from 1 day of bleeding to last day without bleeding)
-normal bleeding lasts 3-8 days
-blood loss during each cycle averages 30-80 mL
-this cycle is repeated 300-400 times during a woman's life
Define: menarche - ANS ✔✔first mentrual period
Endometrial shedding can also refer to... - ANS ✔✔a period
Function of FSH - ANS ✔✔-stimulates development of the follicle in the ovaries
-important during the follicular phase
Function of LH - ANS ✔✔-gets the follicle out of the corpus luteum and then out of the ovary
-ovulation hormone
Function of estradiol - ANS ✔✔-matures the follicle during the follicular phase (as the follicle matures, it
will release estradiol)
-changes cervical mucus composition --> slippery/stretchy/thin to allow for sperm to get through -->
allows more sperm in without dying
-vaginal lubrication
Function of progesterone - ANS ✔✔-allows the endometrial layer to grow for fertilization; needs to
happen 7 days before the period
-loss of progesterone leads to vasomotor instability
Describe the Follicular Phase
-what is occurring?
-hormones in play? - ANS ✔✔First Phase (days 1-13; main goal is to prepare a follicle to release a
singular mature egg)
,-hypothalamus --> GnRH --> anterior pituitary gland --> FSH and LH
-FSH --> stimulates follicles to grow --> only one follicle will mature
-as the follicle matures, estradiol will increase --> dip in FSH and LH (negative feedback)
- the peak of estradiol --> egg is ready --> positive feedback loop --> surge of LH
What occurs during ovulation?
-what is occurring?
-hormones in play? - ANS ✔✔Mid Cycle (11-13 days)
-LH surge causes --> follicle separates from the corpus leuteum (the follicle is now referred to as the
ovum) --> the ovum is released into the fallopian tube
-most stable part of the cycle
What occurs during the Luteal Phase?
-what is occurring?
-hormones in play? - ANS ✔✔Third Phase (cycle is 15-28 days)
-goal: prepare the endometrial for potential implantation
-if there is no fertilization, the cycle will restart
-corpus luteum has formed; helps support pregnancy; if there is no fertilization, it will disintegrate
-corpus luteum secretes progesterone (released to help endometrium layer grow)
-corpus leutum secretes estradiol as well
-if corpus luteum dies --> drop in progesterone and estradiol --> cycle starts over
When do the parents want to engage in sexual intercourse to best ensure pregnancy? - ANS ✔✔-2-3
days before ovulation
You are guiding a cisgendered, heterosexual couple about which days to have intercourse to maximize
their likelihood of conception. The menstrual cycle is consistently 28 days long. - ANS ✔✔Ovulation is
day 14
-want to have sex 2-3 days before ovulation
Answer: 11-12 days
Periods are the 5th --- --- for women. - ANS ✔✔vital sign
-we can use regularity and heaviness to assess and diagnose menstrual problems
Define Primary Amennorrhea - ANS ✔✔a. no menstruation or secondary sex characteristics by 13
b. no menarche by 15 even with secondary sexual characteristics
-can indicate a hormonal imbalance, a pituitary disorder, or behavioral causes (athletics, body weight)
Define Secondary Amennorrhea - ANS ✔✔no menses for 6 months or more after a period of regular
menstruation
-can indicate a hormonal imbalance, a pituitary disorder, or behavioral causes (athletics, body weight)
Define Dysmenorrhea - ANS ✔✔-discomfort with periods
, -medication does not help
-occurs for a couple of days
-affects the person's life
Primary vs. Secondary Dysmenorrhea - ANS ✔✔-primary: no reason
-secondary: d/t PCOS
Define Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) - ANS ✔✔-physical symptoms of bloating, GI discomfort, and
breast tenderness
-mild symptoms of mood instability
-occurs 4-5 days before the period
-minor impact
Define Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder - ANS ✔✔-marked by irritability, mood instability, fatigue, and
difficulty concentrating
-must occur in proximity to menstruation
-can have mania as well
ex. no baseline depression; women has depression 3-5 days before period
Nursing interventions for PMS or pain during periods - ANS ✔✔-physical activity
-hot pads
-caffeine moderation
-smoking cessation
-therapy
-NSAIDs for cramps (Tylenol will not help)
-oral contraceptives for PMDD
-Mg supplements
-SSRIs or SNRI for PMDD
◦Andra is 16 comes into the clinic with her mother because she has not yet begun to menstruate. She
has developed other secondary sex characteristics, like pubic hair and breasts.
◦Andra is experiencing which menstrual disorder?
A.Secondary amenorrhea
B. Primary amenorrhea
C. Dysmenorrhea
D.Premenstrual Dysphoric
Disorder - ANS ✔✔B
◦Jayana is 32 years old and has come to see her CNM provider. She reports having terrible cramps each
month for 24-48 hours at the onset of her menses.
◦Jayana is experiencing which menstrual disorder?
EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
Briefly describe the female pelvic anatomy - ANS ✔✔-the broad ligament covers the uterus; it becomes a
sheet that anchors the the pelvic bone
-ovary and fallopian tube are not connected
-uterine artery brings blood
-cervix is always closed; however, 5 days before ovulation, it become softer; the mucus plug gets runny
and makes it easier for sperm to pass
-round ligaments cause pain when the patient may roll over
Menstruation Overview:
-how long a cycle is
-how many days of bleeding
-average blood loss
-how many times the cycle is repeated in a woman's life - ANS ✔✔-cycles vary in frequency; from 21-40
days (from 1 day of bleeding to last day without bleeding)
-normal bleeding lasts 3-8 days
-blood loss during each cycle averages 30-80 mL
-this cycle is repeated 300-400 times during a woman's life
Define: menarche - ANS ✔✔first mentrual period
Endometrial shedding can also refer to... - ANS ✔✔a period
Function of FSH - ANS ✔✔-stimulates development of the follicle in the ovaries
-important during the follicular phase
Function of LH - ANS ✔✔-gets the follicle out of the corpus luteum and then out of the ovary
-ovulation hormone
Function of estradiol - ANS ✔✔-matures the follicle during the follicular phase (as the follicle matures, it
will release estradiol)
-changes cervical mucus composition --> slippery/stretchy/thin to allow for sperm to get through -->
allows more sperm in without dying
-vaginal lubrication
Function of progesterone - ANS ✔✔-allows the endometrial layer to grow for fertilization; needs to
happen 7 days before the period
-loss of progesterone leads to vasomotor instability
Describe the Follicular Phase
-what is occurring?
-hormones in play? - ANS ✔✔First Phase (days 1-13; main goal is to prepare a follicle to release a
singular mature egg)
,-hypothalamus --> GnRH --> anterior pituitary gland --> FSH and LH
-FSH --> stimulates follicles to grow --> only one follicle will mature
-as the follicle matures, estradiol will increase --> dip in FSH and LH (negative feedback)
- the peak of estradiol --> egg is ready --> positive feedback loop --> surge of LH
What occurs during ovulation?
-what is occurring?
-hormones in play? - ANS ✔✔Mid Cycle (11-13 days)
-LH surge causes --> follicle separates from the corpus leuteum (the follicle is now referred to as the
ovum) --> the ovum is released into the fallopian tube
-most stable part of the cycle
What occurs during the Luteal Phase?
-what is occurring?
-hormones in play? - ANS ✔✔Third Phase (cycle is 15-28 days)
-goal: prepare the endometrial for potential implantation
-if there is no fertilization, the cycle will restart
-corpus luteum has formed; helps support pregnancy; if there is no fertilization, it will disintegrate
-corpus luteum secretes progesterone (released to help endometrium layer grow)
-corpus leutum secretes estradiol as well
-if corpus luteum dies --> drop in progesterone and estradiol --> cycle starts over
When do the parents want to engage in sexual intercourse to best ensure pregnancy? - ANS ✔✔-2-3
days before ovulation
You are guiding a cisgendered, heterosexual couple about which days to have intercourse to maximize
their likelihood of conception. The menstrual cycle is consistently 28 days long. - ANS ✔✔Ovulation is
day 14
-want to have sex 2-3 days before ovulation
Answer: 11-12 days
Periods are the 5th --- --- for women. - ANS ✔✔vital sign
-we can use regularity and heaviness to assess and diagnose menstrual problems
Define Primary Amennorrhea - ANS ✔✔a. no menstruation or secondary sex characteristics by 13
b. no menarche by 15 even with secondary sexual characteristics
-can indicate a hormonal imbalance, a pituitary disorder, or behavioral causes (athletics, body weight)
Define Secondary Amennorrhea - ANS ✔✔no menses for 6 months or more after a period of regular
menstruation
-can indicate a hormonal imbalance, a pituitary disorder, or behavioral causes (athletics, body weight)
Define Dysmenorrhea - ANS ✔✔-discomfort with periods
, -medication does not help
-occurs for a couple of days
-affects the person's life
Primary vs. Secondary Dysmenorrhea - ANS ✔✔-primary: no reason
-secondary: d/t PCOS
Define Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) - ANS ✔✔-physical symptoms of bloating, GI discomfort, and
breast tenderness
-mild symptoms of mood instability
-occurs 4-5 days before the period
-minor impact
Define Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder - ANS ✔✔-marked by irritability, mood instability, fatigue, and
difficulty concentrating
-must occur in proximity to menstruation
-can have mania as well
ex. no baseline depression; women has depression 3-5 days before period
Nursing interventions for PMS or pain during periods - ANS ✔✔-physical activity
-hot pads
-caffeine moderation
-smoking cessation
-therapy
-NSAIDs for cramps (Tylenol will not help)
-oral contraceptives for PMDD
-Mg supplements
-SSRIs or SNRI for PMDD
◦Andra is 16 comes into the clinic with her mother because she has not yet begun to menstruate. She
has developed other secondary sex characteristics, like pubic hair and breasts.
◦Andra is experiencing which menstrual disorder?
A.Secondary amenorrhea
B. Primary amenorrhea
C. Dysmenorrhea
D.Premenstrual Dysphoric
Disorder - ANS ✔✔B
◦Jayana is 32 years old and has come to see her CNM provider. She reports having terrible cramps each
month for 24-48 hours at the onset of her menses.
◦Jayana is experiencing which menstrual disorder?
