Chapter 02: Human Reproductive Anatomy and
Physiology
Leifer: Introduction to Maternity and Pediatric Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A mother asks the nurse, “When will I know my child has entered puberty?” What will the nurse
state based on an understanding of changes associated with puberty?
a. “Your daughter will have her first period.”
b. “You‘ll recognize puberty by the mood swings.”
c. “The child becomes interested in the opposite sex.”
d. “Secondary sex characteristics, such as pubic hair, appear.”
ANS: D
Puberty begins when the secondary sex characteristics appear. Puberty ends when mature
sperm are formed in the male and when regular menstrual cycles occur in the female.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 23 OBJ: 1 | 2
TOP: Puberty KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Growth and Development
2. A nurse is planning to teach couples about the physiology of the sex act. What correct
information will the nurse provide?
a. “Fertilization of an ovum requires penetration by several sperm.”
b. “An ovum must be fertilized within 24 hours of ovulation.”
c. “It takes 4 to 5 days for sperm to reach the fallopian tubes.”
d. “Sperm live for only 24 hours following ejaculation.”
ANS: B
After ovulation, the egg lives for only 24 hours. Sperm must be available during that time if
fertilization is to occur.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 32 OBJ: 6 | 7
, TOP: Physiology of the Sex Act KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Growth and Development
3. A newly married couple tells the nurse they would like to wait a few years before starting a
family. Which statement made by the man indicates an understanding about sexual activity and
pregnancy?
a. “My wife can‘t get pregnant if I withdraw before climax.”
b. “A man can secrete semen before ejaculation.”
c. “If we don‘t have intercourse very often, my wife won‘t get pregnant.”
d. “It is safe to ejaculate outside the vagina.”
ANS: B
Semen may be secreted during sexual intercourse before ejaculation.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 25 OBJ: 4
TOP: Male Reproductive System KEY: Nursing Process Step: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk
4. The nurse is aware that the diagonal conjugate is 12 cm. What is the measurement in centimeters
of the obstetric conjugate?
a. 10 to 10.5
b. 11 to 11.5
c. 12.5 to 13
d. 14 to 14.5
ANS: A
The obstetric conjugate is approximately 1.5 to 2 cm shorter than the diagonal conjugate.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 29 OBJ: 1 | 8
TOP: Obstetric Conjugate KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early Detection
of Disease
5. The nurse uses a diagram to demonstrate the fimbriae when teaching nursing students about the
female anatomy. What is true about fimbriae?
a. They form the passageway for the sperm to meet the ovum.
Physiology
Leifer: Introduction to Maternity and Pediatric Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A mother asks the nurse, “When will I know my child has entered puberty?” What will the nurse
state based on an understanding of changes associated with puberty?
a. “Your daughter will have her first period.”
b. “You‘ll recognize puberty by the mood swings.”
c. “The child becomes interested in the opposite sex.”
d. “Secondary sex characteristics, such as pubic hair, appear.”
ANS: D
Puberty begins when the secondary sex characteristics appear. Puberty ends when mature
sperm are formed in the male and when regular menstrual cycles occur in the female.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 23 OBJ: 1 | 2
TOP: Puberty KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Growth and Development
2. A nurse is planning to teach couples about the physiology of the sex act. What correct
information will the nurse provide?
a. “Fertilization of an ovum requires penetration by several sperm.”
b. “An ovum must be fertilized within 24 hours of ovulation.”
c. “It takes 4 to 5 days for sperm to reach the fallopian tubes.”
d. “Sperm live for only 24 hours following ejaculation.”
ANS: B
After ovulation, the egg lives for only 24 hours. Sperm must be available during that time if
fertilization is to occur.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 32 OBJ: 6 | 7
, TOP: Physiology of the Sex Act KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Growth and Development
3. A newly married couple tells the nurse they would like to wait a few years before starting a
family. Which statement made by the man indicates an understanding about sexual activity and
pregnancy?
a. “My wife can‘t get pregnant if I withdraw before climax.”
b. “A man can secrete semen before ejaculation.”
c. “If we don‘t have intercourse very often, my wife won‘t get pregnant.”
d. “It is safe to ejaculate outside the vagina.”
ANS: B
Semen may be secreted during sexual intercourse before ejaculation.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 25 OBJ: 4
TOP: Male Reproductive System KEY: Nursing Process Step: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk
4. The nurse is aware that the diagonal conjugate is 12 cm. What is the measurement in centimeters
of the obstetric conjugate?
a. 10 to 10.5
b. 11 to 11.5
c. 12.5 to 13
d. 14 to 14.5
ANS: A
The obstetric conjugate is approximately 1.5 to 2 cm shorter than the diagonal conjugate.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 29 OBJ: 1 | 8
TOP: Obstetric Conjugate KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early Detection
of Disease
5. The nurse uses a diagram to demonstrate the fimbriae when teaching nursing students about the
female anatomy. What is true about fimbriae?
a. They form the passageway for the sperm to meet the ovum.
