BSNC 5000 (MATERNITY) MODULE
1 EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Describe intrauterine development. - Answer-Intrauterine development is divided into
three stages: Ovum/pre-embryonic, embryo, fetus.
Define/describe primary germ layers. - Answer-This occurs during the 3rd week of
conception. Ectoderm - rise to epidermis, glands, CNS. Mesoderm - develops into
bones and teeth, dermis and connective tissue, and cardiovascular tissue. Endoderm -
Rise to epithelium lining of the respiratory and digestive tracts.
Describe the development of embryo stage. - Answer-Stage of embryo lasts from day
15 until approx. 8 weeks after conception. Most critical in the development of organ
systems and main external features.
When do the membranes develop? - Answer-At time of implantation begin to form.
Chorion develops from trophoblast and contain chorionic villi on the surface.
What is amniotic fluid? Describe the characteristics of amniotic fluid. - Answer-Amniotic
fluid is fluid that resides in the sac to protect the baby. Fluid is secreted by the
respiratory and GI tracts of the fetus enter the amniotic cavity. Fluid is 700-1000mL of
transparent liquid.
Circulation and coagulation times during pregnancy. - Answer-Pregnancy is a
hypercoaguable state - 5-6x increased risk for thromboembolic disease. Circulation time
decreases slightly by week 32.
Increase in clotting factors (VII, VIIIm IX, and X, and fibrinogen). Decrease in factors
that inhibit coagulation. clot suppression/lysis is suppressed during pregnancy to protect
against blood loss.
Hematologic lab value changes during pregnancy. - Answer-hgb and hct decreases due
to plasma increase. Increase in RBC.
Respiratory system changes during pregnancy. - Answer-Maternal oxygen consumption
increases during pregnancy by 20-40%. In advanced pregnancy, chest breathing
replaces abdominal breathing, becomes less possible for the diaphragm to descend
with inspiration.
What changes occur to the URT? - Answer-The upper respiratory tract becomes more
vascular in response to elevated levels of estrogen. Edema and hyperemia develop.
, What is the function of amniotic fluid? - Answer-Maintain constant body temperature.
Preventing the embryo from tangling with the membranes, facilitates the symmetrical
growth. Act as a barrier to infection. Allowing freedom of movement for MSK
development. Acting as a cushion to protect the fetus and umbilical cord from trauma,
serve as oral fluid and as a repository for waste. Enhance fetal lung development.
What is the yolk sac? What is it's function? - Answer-Aids in transferring maternal
nutrients and oxygen, which have diffused through the chorion to the embyro. Blood
vessels form to aid transport. Separates from embyro at 5th or 6th week.
What is the umbilical cord? Function? - Answer-Transports nutrients, oxygens, and
blood from mother to baby.
What is the placenta? Function? - Answer-This is an organ that develops within the
uterus during pregnancy. It provides oxygen and nutrients to baby, which is transported
via the umbilicus.
What are complications associated with the umbilical cord? - Answer-Compression can
occur if the cord lies between the fetal head and the pelvis if twisted. Nuchal cord -
When cord wrapped around fetal neck.
What is the syncytium of the placenta? - Answer-The syncytium is the functional layer of
the placenta.
What are the 4 functions of the syncytium? - Answer-Endocrine - produces hormones.
Metabolic functions - respiration, nutrition, excretion, and storage.
What is hCG? - Answer-Protein, preserves the function of the ovarian corpus luteum
ensuring a continued supply of estrogen and progesterone needed to maintain
pregnancy. Reaches max at 0-70 days then decreases.
What is hPL/hCS? - Answer-Similar to growth hormone and stimulates maternal
metabolism to supply needed nutrients for fetal growth. Increases resistance to insulin.
Facilitates glucose transport across the placental membrane. Stimulates breast
development for lactation.
What is progesterone? what is it responsible for in pregnancy? - Answer-A steroid.
Maintains the endometrium. Decreases contractility of the uterus. Stimulates maternal
metabolism and development of breast alveoli. inhibits lactation.
Causes production of decreased tone and motility of smooth muscles, resulting in
esophageal regurgitation, slower emptying time of the stomach and reverse peristalsis.
Stimulates respiratory centre - increased RR, decreased pCO2. Chronic respiratory
alkalosis with renal compensation. Kidneys clear excess bicarb.
1 EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Describe intrauterine development. - Answer-Intrauterine development is divided into
three stages: Ovum/pre-embryonic, embryo, fetus.
Define/describe primary germ layers. - Answer-This occurs during the 3rd week of
conception. Ectoderm - rise to epidermis, glands, CNS. Mesoderm - develops into
bones and teeth, dermis and connective tissue, and cardiovascular tissue. Endoderm -
Rise to epithelium lining of the respiratory and digestive tracts.
Describe the development of embryo stage. - Answer-Stage of embryo lasts from day
15 until approx. 8 weeks after conception. Most critical in the development of organ
systems and main external features.
When do the membranes develop? - Answer-At time of implantation begin to form.
Chorion develops from trophoblast and contain chorionic villi on the surface.
What is amniotic fluid? Describe the characteristics of amniotic fluid. - Answer-Amniotic
fluid is fluid that resides in the sac to protect the baby. Fluid is secreted by the
respiratory and GI tracts of the fetus enter the amniotic cavity. Fluid is 700-1000mL of
transparent liquid.
Circulation and coagulation times during pregnancy. - Answer-Pregnancy is a
hypercoaguable state - 5-6x increased risk for thromboembolic disease. Circulation time
decreases slightly by week 32.
Increase in clotting factors (VII, VIIIm IX, and X, and fibrinogen). Decrease in factors
that inhibit coagulation. clot suppression/lysis is suppressed during pregnancy to protect
against blood loss.
Hematologic lab value changes during pregnancy. - Answer-hgb and hct decreases due
to plasma increase. Increase in RBC.
Respiratory system changes during pregnancy. - Answer-Maternal oxygen consumption
increases during pregnancy by 20-40%. In advanced pregnancy, chest breathing
replaces abdominal breathing, becomes less possible for the diaphragm to descend
with inspiration.
What changes occur to the URT? - Answer-The upper respiratory tract becomes more
vascular in response to elevated levels of estrogen. Edema and hyperemia develop.
, What is the function of amniotic fluid? - Answer-Maintain constant body temperature.
Preventing the embryo from tangling with the membranes, facilitates the symmetrical
growth. Act as a barrier to infection. Allowing freedom of movement for MSK
development. Acting as a cushion to protect the fetus and umbilical cord from trauma,
serve as oral fluid and as a repository for waste. Enhance fetal lung development.
What is the yolk sac? What is it's function? - Answer-Aids in transferring maternal
nutrients and oxygen, which have diffused through the chorion to the embyro. Blood
vessels form to aid transport. Separates from embyro at 5th or 6th week.
What is the umbilical cord? Function? - Answer-Transports nutrients, oxygens, and
blood from mother to baby.
What is the placenta? Function? - Answer-This is an organ that develops within the
uterus during pregnancy. It provides oxygen and nutrients to baby, which is transported
via the umbilicus.
What are complications associated with the umbilical cord? - Answer-Compression can
occur if the cord lies between the fetal head and the pelvis if twisted. Nuchal cord -
When cord wrapped around fetal neck.
What is the syncytium of the placenta? - Answer-The syncytium is the functional layer of
the placenta.
What are the 4 functions of the syncytium? - Answer-Endocrine - produces hormones.
Metabolic functions - respiration, nutrition, excretion, and storage.
What is hCG? - Answer-Protein, preserves the function of the ovarian corpus luteum
ensuring a continued supply of estrogen and progesterone needed to maintain
pregnancy. Reaches max at 0-70 days then decreases.
What is hPL/hCS? - Answer-Similar to growth hormone and stimulates maternal
metabolism to supply needed nutrients for fetal growth. Increases resistance to insulin.
Facilitates glucose transport across the placental membrane. Stimulates breast
development for lactation.
What is progesterone? what is it responsible for in pregnancy? - Answer-A steroid.
Maintains the endometrium. Decreases contractility of the uterus. Stimulates maternal
metabolism and development of breast alveoli. inhibits lactation.
Causes production of decreased tone and motility of smooth muscles, resulting in
esophageal regurgitation, slower emptying time of the stomach and reverse peristalsis.
Stimulates respiratory centre - increased RR, decreased pCO2. Chronic respiratory
alkalosis with renal compensation. Kidneys clear excess bicarb.
