NUR2005 Exam Revision Questions And
Accurate Answers
Main physiological changes that take place in pregnancy and postpartum - ANS Nausea
and vomiting (digestive system)
Frequency of micturition at night-time (renal/reproductive system)
Quickening- signs of fetal movements felt as 'gentle flutter or butterflies'
Fatigue and insomnia
Common signs and symptoms of labour - ANS Contractions and dilation of the cervix,
lower back pain, waters breaking, desire to vomit, loose bowl motions.
Three stages of labour and how to care/support women during birth - Answer 1) Dilation:
women first has contractions and starts to dilate until she reaches 10cm
2) Birth: begins pushing, gives brith to baby
3) Afterbirth delivery: the women expels the placenta
4) Afterbirth care: the aftercare also postpartum period
What happens to blood during pregnancy? - Answer Increase plasma and RBC volume,
as well as anemia
What changes do occur in the respiratory system in pregnancy? -increase in stimulation
of respiratory centre --> increased RR, tidal volume is increased while residual volume is
decreased
,What changes does occur in cardiovascular system in pregnancy? -increase in HR,
decrease in arterial pressure, increase in cardiac output, peripheral vascular
resistance decreased
What occurs in genital system in pregnancy? -vaginal pH decreased, glycogen in vaginal
epithelium is increased
Oxytocin theory - Answer A hypothesis about the origin of labour - the hormone
stimulates uterine contractions, some researchers feel that an increase in these levels
may serve as the trigger to start labor
Prostaglandins theory - Answer Research finding vary as to whether the concentration
of prostaglandins increase in amniotic fluid and maternal bloodstream before labour but
certainly are high during and after labour.
Prostaglandins can be administered to induce labor, the most common application
being cervical ripening in order to facilitate induction of labor with Oxytocics.
Fetal steroids theory - Answer Fetal adrenal glands produce corticosteroids that
stimulate labor
Corticosteroids stimulate the release of the precursor to Prostaglandins- Oestrogen and
Progesterone- levels of both hormones control concentrations of Oxytocin receptors in
the uterus
Animal studies show a decrease in Progesterone levels with the onset of labour,
however, this has not been shown in humans
Emotional changes to occur during pregnancy - Answer Women may become:
bored, poor memory, negative thoughts, impatient sensitive, may struggle with body
image, have presence of sleep disorders and sexual function/well being disorders
, Maternal postnatal check includes: - Answer Access blood loss (amount, colour, clots
and odour)
Palpating uterine height, position and tone
Check perineum/caesarean wound and document findings
Common Postpartum changes: - AnswernEndometritis -inflammation/infection of uterine
lining
Perineal injury/trauma
Pelvic floor dysfunction/incontinence
Caesarean section wound infection
Mastitis: inflammation of breast can lead to infection
Postnatal mental health: baby blues, depression and psychosis
Degrees of perineal injury/trauma - Answer Perineal injury/trauma includes:
- first-degree tear = injury to perineal skin and/or vaginal mucosa, can heal on their own
- second-degree = injury to perineum muscles, but not anal sphincter (requires suturing)
- third-degree = injury to perineum involving anal sphincter complex (External (EAS) and
Internal (IAS)) (requires suturing in operating room/anaesthetic)
- fourth-degree = injury to perineum involving anal sphincter complex and anorectal
mucosa (requires suturing in operating room/anaesthetic)
Assessment of newborn - Answer Involves APGAR score:
Appearance - skin colour
Pulse - heart rate
Grimace - reflexes
Activity - muscle tone
Respiration - breathing rate and effort
Accurate Answers
Main physiological changes that take place in pregnancy and postpartum - ANS Nausea
and vomiting (digestive system)
Frequency of micturition at night-time (renal/reproductive system)
Quickening- signs of fetal movements felt as 'gentle flutter or butterflies'
Fatigue and insomnia
Common signs and symptoms of labour - ANS Contractions and dilation of the cervix,
lower back pain, waters breaking, desire to vomit, loose bowl motions.
Three stages of labour and how to care/support women during birth - Answer 1) Dilation:
women first has contractions and starts to dilate until she reaches 10cm
2) Birth: begins pushing, gives brith to baby
3) Afterbirth delivery: the women expels the placenta
4) Afterbirth care: the aftercare also postpartum period
What happens to blood during pregnancy? - Answer Increase plasma and RBC volume,
as well as anemia
What changes do occur in the respiratory system in pregnancy? -increase in stimulation
of respiratory centre --> increased RR, tidal volume is increased while residual volume is
decreased
,What changes does occur in cardiovascular system in pregnancy? -increase in HR,
decrease in arterial pressure, increase in cardiac output, peripheral vascular
resistance decreased
What occurs in genital system in pregnancy? -vaginal pH decreased, glycogen in vaginal
epithelium is increased
Oxytocin theory - Answer A hypothesis about the origin of labour - the hormone
stimulates uterine contractions, some researchers feel that an increase in these levels
may serve as the trigger to start labor
Prostaglandins theory - Answer Research finding vary as to whether the concentration
of prostaglandins increase in amniotic fluid and maternal bloodstream before labour but
certainly are high during and after labour.
Prostaglandins can be administered to induce labor, the most common application
being cervical ripening in order to facilitate induction of labor with Oxytocics.
Fetal steroids theory - Answer Fetal adrenal glands produce corticosteroids that
stimulate labor
Corticosteroids stimulate the release of the precursor to Prostaglandins- Oestrogen and
Progesterone- levels of both hormones control concentrations of Oxytocin receptors in
the uterus
Animal studies show a decrease in Progesterone levels with the onset of labour,
however, this has not been shown in humans
Emotional changes to occur during pregnancy - Answer Women may become:
bored, poor memory, negative thoughts, impatient sensitive, may struggle with body
image, have presence of sleep disorders and sexual function/well being disorders
, Maternal postnatal check includes: - Answer Access blood loss (amount, colour, clots
and odour)
Palpating uterine height, position and tone
Check perineum/caesarean wound and document findings
Common Postpartum changes: - AnswernEndometritis -inflammation/infection of uterine
lining
Perineal injury/trauma
Pelvic floor dysfunction/incontinence
Caesarean section wound infection
Mastitis: inflammation of breast can lead to infection
Postnatal mental health: baby blues, depression and psychosis
Degrees of perineal injury/trauma - Answer Perineal injury/trauma includes:
- first-degree tear = injury to perineal skin and/or vaginal mucosa, can heal on their own
- second-degree = injury to perineum muscles, but not anal sphincter (requires suturing)
- third-degree = injury to perineum involving anal sphincter complex (External (EAS) and
Internal (IAS)) (requires suturing in operating room/anaesthetic)
- fourth-degree = injury to perineum involving anal sphincter complex and anorectal
mucosa (requires suturing in operating room/anaesthetic)
Assessment of newborn - Answer Involves APGAR score:
Appearance - skin colour
Pulse - heart rate
Grimace - reflexes
Activity - muscle tone
Respiration - breathing rate and effort
