MATERNAL FETAL IN NURSING
ACTUAL UPDATED QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
Discuss the role of the placenta in maternal–fetal circulation and explain what happens when
placental function is compromised. CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
The placenta acts as the primary organ of exchange between the mother and fetus, supplying
oxygen and nutrients while removing waste products. It also provides hormonal support
necessary to sustain pregnancy, including progesterone and human placental lactogen. When
placental function is compromised, oxygen transfer decreases, leading to fetal hypoxia and
growth restriction. Poor perfusion can result from maternal hypertension, anemia, or placental
abnormalities such as infarctions. If dysfunction is severe, the risk of stillbirth, preterm birth,
and fetal distress increases significantly. Early detection through monitoring and ultrasound
helps protect both mother and baby. CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Explain the significance of fetal heart rate monitoring and what different patterns indicate.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Fetal heart rate monitoring helps assess fetal oxygenation and overall well-being throughout
pregnancy and labor. A normal baseline rate shows that the fetal autonomic nervous system is
functioning well. Accelerations indicate adequate oxygenation and fetal movement, which are
signs of a healthy fetus. Decelerations, however, may signal cord compression, uteroplacental
insufficiency, or fetal distress. Persistent abnormal patterns require immediate evaluation to
prevent hypoxia. Continuous monitoring helps guide clinical decisions to improve outcomes.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Describe the importance of maternal blood pressure control during pregnancy and how
uncontrolled hypertension affects the fetus. CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Maternal blood pressure directly influences placental blood flow, which determines the fetal
oxygen and nutrient supply. Uncontrolled hypertension can cause vasoconstriction, reducing
perfusion to the placenta. This often results in fetal growth restriction, decreased amniotic
fluid, and preterm delivery. Severe hypertension increases the risk of placental abruption, a
life-threatening emergency for both mother and baby. The fetus may exhibit signs of distress
due to compromised circulation. Proper monitoring and treatment protect both maternal and
fetal well-being. CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Discuss how maternal anemia affects fetal development and pregnancy outcomes.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
, Maternal anemia reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, limiting the amount
delivered to the fetus. This oxygen deficiency may lead to intrauterine growth restriction and
low birth weight. Anemic mothers often experience fatigue, weakness, and reduced
immunity, which may complicate pregnancy. Severe anemia increases the risk of preterm
birth and labor complications such as postpartum hemorrhage. For the fetus, chronic hypoxia
may impact neurodevelopment. Iron supplementation and balanced nutrition help prevent
these complications. CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Explain the importance of maternal blood glucose control in preventing adverse fetal
outcomes. CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Poor maternal glucose control leads to excess glucose crossing the placenta, causing fetal
hyperinsulinemia. This condition increases fetal fat deposition and results in macrosomia,
making delivery risky. Babies of diabetic mothers may experience respiratory distress,
jaundice, and hypoglycemia after birth. High glucose levels also increase the risk of
congenital anomalies, particularly cardiac defects. Proper diet, medication, and monitoring
maintain stable glucose levels. Good control significantly improves both maternal and fetal
outcomes. CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Describe how maternal infections affect the fetus and the mechanisms of transmission.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Certain maternal infections can cross the placenta, enter the amniotic fluid, or transmit during
delivery. These infections may cause congenital anomalies, growth restriction, or fetal organ
damage. TORCH infections—such as rubella and toxoplasmosis—are particularly harmful in
early pregnancy. Maternal fever or systemic infections may also reduce placental function
and oxygen flow. In some cases, infections trigger preterm labor or stillbirth. Early
identification and treatment help protect the fetus from serious complications. CORRECT
ANSWERS ✅✅
Discuss the role of amniotic fluid and what abnormalities in its volume indicate about fetal
health. CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Amniotic fluid protects the fetus, cushions movement, and supports lung and musculoskeletal
development. Low amniotic fluid, known as oligohydramnios, may indicate placental
insufficiency or fetal renal problems. Excess fluid, called polyhydramnios, is often associated
with maternal diabetes or fetal swallowing disorders. Abnormal fluid levels can affect fetal
movement and increase the risk of cord compression. Monitoring amniotic fluid helps detect
potential complications early. Management depends on the underlying cause to ensure fetal
well-being. CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
ACTUAL UPDATED QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
Discuss the role of the placenta in maternal–fetal circulation and explain what happens when
placental function is compromised. CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
The placenta acts as the primary organ of exchange between the mother and fetus, supplying
oxygen and nutrients while removing waste products. It also provides hormonal support
necessary to sustain pregnancy, including progesterone and human placental lactogen. When
placental function is compromised, oxygen transfer decreases, leading to fetal hypoxia and
growth restriction. Poor perfusion can result from maternal hypertension, anemia, or placental
abnormalities such as infarctions. If dysfunction is severe, the risk of stillbirth, preterm birth,
and fetal distress increases significantly. Early detection through monitoring and ultrasound
helps protect both mother and baby. CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Explain the significance of fetal heart rate monitoring and what different patterns indicate.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Fetal heart rate monitoring helps assess fetal oxygenation and overall well-being throughout
pregnancy and labor. A normal baseline rate shows that the fetal autonomic nervous system is
functioning well. Accelerations indicate adequate oxygenation and fetal movement, which are
signs of a healthy fetus. Decelerations, however, may signal cord compression, uteroplacental
insufficiency, or fetal distress. Persistent abnormal patterns require immediate evaluation to
prevent hypoxia. Continuous monitoring helps guide clinical decisions to improve outcomes.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Describe the importance of maternal blood pressure control during pregnancy and how
uncontrolled hypertension affects the fetus. CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Maternal blood pressure directly influences placental blood flow, which determines the fetal
oxygen and nutrient supply. Uncontrolled hypertension can cause vasoconstriction, reducing
perfusion to the placenta. This often results in fetal growth restriction, decreased amniotic
fluid, and preterm delivery. Severe hypertension increases the risk of placental abruption, a
life-threatening emergency for both mother and baby. The fetus may exhibit signs of distress
due to compromised circulation. Proper monitoring and treatment protect both maternal and
fetal well-being. CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Discuss how maternal anemia affects fetal development and pregnancy outcomes.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
, Maternal anemia reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, limiting the amount
delivered to the fetus. This oxygen deficiency may lead to intrauterine growth restriction and
low birth weight. Anemic mothers often experience fatigue, weakness, and reduced
immunity, which may complicate pregnancy. Severe anemia increases the risk of preterm
birth and labor complications such as postpartum hemorrhage. For the fetus, chronic hypoxia
may impact neurodevelopment. Iron supplementation and balanced nutrition help prevent
these complications. CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Explain the importance of maternal blood glucose control in preventing adverse fetal
outcomes. CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Poor maternal glucose control leads to excess glucose crossing the placenta, causing fetal
hyperinsulinemia. This condition increases fetal fat deposition and results in macrosomia,
making delivery risky. Babies of diabetic mothers may experience respiratory distress,
jaundice, and hypoglycemia after birth. High glucose levels also increase the risk of
congenital anomalies, particularly cardiac defects. Proper diet, medication, and monitoring
maintain stable glucose levels. Good control significantly improves both maternal and fetal
outcomes. CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Describe how maternal infections affect the fetus and the mechanisms of transmission.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Certain maternal infections can cross the placenta, enter the amniotic fluid, or transmit during
delivery. These infections may cause congenital anomalies, growth restriction, or fetal organ
damage. TORCH infections—such as rubella and toxoplasmosis—are particularly harmful in
early pregnancy. Maternal fever or systemic infections may also reduce placental function
and oxygen flow. In some cases, infections trigger preterm labor or stillbirth. Early
identification and treatment help protect the fetus from serious complications. CORRECT
ANSWERS ✅✅
Discuss the role of amniotic fluid and what abnormalities in its volume indicate about fetal
health. CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Amniotic fluid protects the fetus, cushions movement, and supports lung and musculoskeletal
development. Low amniotic fluid, known as oligohydramnios, may indicate placental
insufficiency or fetal renal problems. Excess fluid, called polyhydramnios, is often associated
with maternal diabetes or fetal swallowing disorders. Abnormal fluid levels can affect fetal
movement and increase the risk of cord compression. Monitoring amniotic fluid helps detect
potential complications early. Management depends on the underlying cause to ensure fetal
well-being. CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
