NUR 272 Exam 1 Review | Questions &
Detailed Answers | MEC Nursing Study
Guide 2027 update
Question 1
A pregnant patient asks when the embryonic period occurs. Which response by the nurse is
correct?
A. From conception through the first 2 weeks
B. From approximately weeks 3 through 8
C. From weeks 9 through 20
D. From week 20 until birth
Correct Answer: B. From approximately weeks 3 through 8
Rationale: The embryonic period occurs during approximately weeks 3–8 after conception.
Major organ formation takes place during this period, making the embryo particularly
vulnerable to teratogens.
Question 2
Which structure is primarily responsible for exchange of oxygen and nutrients between the
mother and fetus?
A. Amniotic sac
B. Placenta
C. Cervix
D. Fallopian tube
Correct Answer: B. Placenta
Rationale: The placenta provides the interface for maternal-fetal exchange of oxygen, nutrients,
and waste products. It also produces hormones important for maintaining pregnancy.
Question 3
Which hormone is primarily responsible for maintaining the uterine lining during early
pregnancy?
,A. Progesterone
B. Oxytocin
C. Prolactin
D. Follicle-stimulating hormone
Correct Answer: A. Progesterone
Rationale: Progesterone supports the endometrium and helps maintain the pregnancy. It also
decreases uterine contractility during pregnancy.
Question 4
A pregnant patient asks about human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). What is the nurse's best
response?
A. It causes uterine contractions during labor
B. It supports the corpus luteum during early pregnancy
C. It stimulates milk ejection after birth
D. It causes cervical dilation during labor
Correct Answer: B. It supports the corpus luteum during early pregnancy
Rationale: hCG is produced by trophoblastic tissue after implantation. It maintains the corpus
luteum, allowing continued progesterone production during early pregnancy.
Question 5
Which finding is considered a positive sign of pregnancy?
A. Amenorrhea
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Fetal heart activity detected by ultrasound
D. Breast tenderness
Correct Answer: C. Fetal heart activity detected by ultrasound
Rationale: Presumptive findings are subjective symptoms such as amenorrhea and nausea.
Probable findings include changes such as an enlarged uterus and positive pregnancy testing.
Positive signs directly confirm the presence of a fetus, such as fetal heart activity or visualization
of the fetus.
,Question 6
Which assessment is considered a probable sign of pregnancy?
A. Fetal movement felt by the mother
B. Positive pregnancy test
C. Fetal heart rate heard by the examiner
D. Visualization of the fetus by ultrasound
Correct Answer: B. Positive pregnancy test
Rationale: A positive pregnancy test is a probable sign because false-positive results are
possible. Fetal heart activity and visualization of the fetus are positive signs.
Question 7
A patient reports feeling fetal movement for the first time. What is this event called?
A. Lightening
B. Quickening
C. Effacement
D. Engagement
Correct Answer: B. Quickening
Rationale: Quickening refers to the mother's first perception of fetal movement. It commonly
occurs during the second trimester.
Question 8
Which maternal adaptation is expected during pregnancy?
A. Decreased blood volume
B. Increased cardiac output
C. Decreased respiratory demand
D. Permanent decrease in renal blood flow
Correct Answer: B. Increased cardiac output
Rationale: Maternal blood volume and cardiac output increase during pregnancy to meet the
increased metabolic demands of the mother and fetus.
, Question 9
Why does a pregnant patient's blood volume increase?
A. To eliminate the need for oxygen
B. To support uteroplacental circulation and prepare for blood loss during birth
C. To decrease cardiac workload
D. To prevent fetal growth
Correct Answer: B. To support uteroplacental circulation and prepare for blood loss during
birth
Rationale: Increased blood volume supports maternal and fetal circulation and provides a
physiologic reserve for blood loss associated with childbirth.
Question 10
Which respiratory change is expected during pregnancy?
A. Increased oxygen consumption
B. Complete cessation of diaphragmatic movement
C. Decreased maternal metabolic demand
D. Permanent airway obstruction
Correct Answer: A. Increased oxygen consumption
Rationale: Pregnancy increases maternal oxygen requirements. Respiratory adaptations help
meet the increased demand of the mother and developing fetus.
Question 11
Which nutrient is especially important for preventing neural tube defects?
A. Folic acid
B. Vitamin K
C. Sodium
D. Vitamin D only
Correct Answer: A. Folic acid
Rationale: Adequate folic acid before conception and during early pregnancy significantly
reduces the risk of neural tube defects.
Detailed Answers | MEC Nursing Study
Guide 2027 update
Question 1
A pregnant patient asks when the embryonic period occurs. Which response by the nurse is
correct?
A. From conception through the first 2 weeks
B. From approximately weeks 3 through 8
C. From weeks 9 through 20
D. From week 20 until birth
Correct Answer: B. From approximately weeks 3 through 8
Rationale: The embryonic period occurs during approximately weeks 3–8 after conception.
Major organ formation takes place during this period, making the embryo particularly
vulnerable to teratogens.
Question 2
Which structure is primarily responsible for exchange of oxygen and nutrients between the
mother and fetus?
A. Amniotic sac
B. Placenta
C. Cervix
D. Fallopian tube
Correct Answer: B. Placenta
Rationale: The placenta provides the interface for maternal-fetal exchange of oxygen, nutrients,
and waste products. It also produces hormones important for maintaining pregnancy.
Question 3
Which hormone is primarily responsible for maintaining the uterine lining during early
pregnancy?
,A. Progesterone
B. Oxytocin
C. Prolactin
D. Follicle-stimulating hormone
Correct Answer: A. Progesterone
Rationale: Progesterone supports the endometrium and helps maintain the pregnancy. It also
decreases uterine contractility during pregnancy.
Question 4
A pregnant patient asks about human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). What is the nurse's best
response?
A. It causes uterine contractions during labor
B. It supports the corpus luteum during early pregnancy
C. It stimulates milk ejection after birth
D. It causes cervical dilation during labor
Correct Answer: B. It supports the corpus luteum during early pregnancy
Rationale: hCG is produced by trophoblastic tissue after implantation. It maintains the corpus
luteum, allowing continued progesterone production during early pregnancy.
Question 5
Which finding is considered a positive sign of pregnancy?
A. Amenorrhea
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Fetal heart activity detected by ultrasound
D. Breast tenderness
Correct Answer: C. Fetal heart activity detected by ultrasound
Rationale: Presumptive findings are subjective symptoms such as amenorrhea and nausea.
Probable findings include changes such as an enlarged uterus and positive pregnancy testing.
Positive signs directly confirm the presence of a fetus, such as fetal heart activity or visualization
of the fetus.
,Question 6
Which assessment is considered a probable sign of pregnancy?
A. Fetal movement felt by the mother
B. Positive pregnancy test
C. Fetal heart rate heard by the examiner
D. Visualization of the fetus by ultrasound
Correct Answer: B. Positive pregnancy test
Rationale: A positive pregnancy test is a probable sign because false-positive results are
possible. Fetal heart activity and visualization of the fetus are positive signs.
Question 7
A patient reports feeling fetal movement for the first time. What is this event called?
A. Lightening
B. Quickening
C. Effacement
D. Engagement
Correct Answer: B. Quickening
Rationale: Quickening refers to the mother's first perception of fetal movement. It commonly
occurs during the second trimester.
Question 8
Which maternal adaptation is expected during pregnancy?
A. Decreased blood volume
B. Increased cardiac output
C. Decreased respiratory demand
D. Permanent decrease in renal blood flow
Correct Answer: B. Increased cardiac output
Rationale: Maternal blood volume and cardiac output increase during pregnancy to meet the
increased metabolic demands of the mother and fetus.
, Question 9
Why does a pregnant patient's blood volume increase?
A. To eliminate the need for oxygen
B. To support uteroplacental circulation and prepare for blood loss during birth
C. To decrease cardiac workload
D. To prevent fetal growth
Correct Answer: B. To support uteroplacental circulation and prepare for blood loss during
birth
Rationale: Increased blood volume supports maternal and fetal circulation and provides a
physiologic reserve for blood loss associated with childbirth.
Question 10
Which respiratory change is expected during pregnancy?
A. Increased oxygen consumption
B. Complete cessation of diaphragmatic movement
C. Decreased maternal metabolic demand
D. Permanent airway obstruction
Correct Answer: A. Increased oxygen consumption
Rationale: Pregnancy increases maternal oxygen requirements. Respiratory adaptations help
meet the increased demand of the mother and developing fetus.
Question 11
Which nutrient is especially important for preventing neural tube defects?
A. Folic acid
B. Vitamin K
C. Sodium
D. Vitamin D only
Correct Answer: A. Folic acid
Rationale: Adequate folic acid before conception and during early pregnancy significantly
reduces the risk of neural tube defects.
