Chapter 5: Fetal Development(A+ Guaranteed Answers)
Amniotic fluid is produced throughout the pregnancy by the fetal membranes. Amniotic fluid has
four major functions. What is one of these functions? correct answersPhysical protection
Amniotic fluid serves four main functions for the fetus: physical protection, temperature
regulation, provision of unrestricted movement, and symmetrical growth.
When a man ejaculates, his sperm begin a long and arduous journey to fertilize the woman's
ovum. What in the semen produces smooth muscle contractions in the uterus to help the sperm
along on their journey? correct answersProstaglandins
Prostaglandins in the semen increase smooth muscle contractions of the uterus that facilitate the
transport of sperm.
The nurse is conducting a presentation for a young adult community group about fetal
development and pregnancy. The nurse determines that the teaching was successful when the
group identifies that the sex of offspring is determined at which time? correct answersat
fertilization
Sex determination occurs at the time of fertilization. Meiosis refers to cell division resulting in
the formation of an ovum or sperm with half the number of chromosomes. The morula develops
after a series of four cleavages following the formation of the zygote. Oogenesis refers to the
development of a mature ovum, which has half the number of chromosomes.
A nurse is asked to auscultate the fetal heart sounds in a pregnant client. Which of the following
equipment is most appropriate when auscultating fetal heart sounds at the 12th week? correct
answersDoppler
Fetal heart sounds are best heard with the Doppler from the 10th week onward. They can be
heard with the fetoscope by about the 18th to 20th week only. A tocodynometer is used to record
uterine contractions and not to auscultate fetal heart tones. Fetal heart tones may not be audible
with an ordinary stethoscope at the 12th week.
A fertilized ovum is known as which structure? correct answerszygote
A fertilized ovum is known as a zygote and is the beginning of potential individual human
development. The developing human organism is known as an embryo from the time it implants
on the uterine wall until the eighth week after inception and as a fetus from the beginning of the
ninth week after fertilization through birth. The chorion is the outermost cell layer that surrounds
the embryo and fluid cavity.
The fluid-filled, inner membrane sac surrounding the fetus is which structure? correct
answersamnion
,The fluid-filled, inner membrane sac surrounding the fetus is the amnion. The chorion is the
outer membrane surrounding the fetus. The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus. The
decidua is the name used for the endometrium during pregnancy.
A nursing student studying reproduction identifies which of the following statements to be
correct? correct answersTwenty-two of the 23 pairs of chromosomes are autosomes and the
remaining pair is the sex chromosomes.
The nucleus of each soma cell contains 46 chromosomes, arranged in 23 pairs. Each parent
donates one chromosome of every pair. Each chromosome is composed of genes, which are
segments of DNA that control hereditary traits. Twenty-two of the 23 pairs of chromosomes are
autosomes, and the remaining pair, the sex chromosomes, determines an individual gender.
A nursing instructor teaching a maternity course realizes a student needs more instruction upon
overhearing the student make which of the following statements? correct answers"Different
sexual positions can determine the sex of the fetus."
Some couples mistakenly believe that they can influence sex determination by using certain
sexual positions, ingesting certain foods before intercourse, or timing sex to occur at specific
times during the menstrual cycle. These beliefs are often rooted in folklore and not based on
scientific principles.
The nurse explains to a pregnant woman that the germ layers that develop in the embryo and
become different organs and tissues consist of which layers? Select all that apply. correct
answersectoderm
mesoderm
endoderm
The three germ layers in the embryo are the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. The others are
layers of the skin.
During a clinical rotation at a prenatal clinic, a client asks a nurse what causes certain birth
defects. The nurse replies that they can be caused by teratogens. What does the severity of the
defects depend on? Select all that apply. correct answersWhen during development the conceptus
is exposed to the teratogen
The particular teratogen to which the fetus is exposed
A teratogen is a substance that causes birth defects. The severity of the defect depends on when
during development the conceptus is exposed to the teratogen and the particular teratogenic
agent to which the fetus is exposed.
What medication should the nurse advise a woman to discontinue prior to becoming pregnant
because it will damage the developing dental and osseous tissue in the fetus? correct
answerstetracycline
Tetracycline may damage the developing dental and osseous tissue in the fetus.
, A woman has just learned that she is pregnant and would like to know how soon she can find out
via ultrasound the sex of her fetus. The nurse should respond with which of the following?
correct answersAt about 4 months
Although fetal gender is usually determined by an ultrasound screen at about 4 months, it can be
determined as early as 7 weeks by analysis of maternal serum.
The nurse is explaining the process of fertilization to a patient who has just learned of being
pregnant. On which day during pregnancy should the nurse explain that the embryo implants on
the uterine surface? correct answersEight to 10 days after fertilization
Implantation, or contact between the growing structure and the uterine endometrium, occurs
approximately 8 to 10 days after fertilization. Four days after fertilization the structure is a
zygote. Implantation does not occur on the 14th day of a typical menstrual cycle or 10 days after
the start of a menstrual flow.
Which body system is most affected throughout the embryonic and fetal period by teratogens?
correct answersCentral nervous system
Whether the teratogen is ingested, injected, occurs through an infectious agent or is
environmental, the CNS and brain are the body systems that are most seriously affected during
this period.
A multigravida client is concerned that she may deliver early. When asking the nurse what is the
earliest her baby can be delivered and survive, which time frame would the nurse point out?
correct answersThe end of the second trimester
During the second trimester, fetal growth is significant. The fetus begins this trimester 3 inches
long and weighing less than 1 oz (0.8 gm). By the end of the second trimester, the fetus is about
15 inches long and weighs more than 2 lbs (1000 gm). Major organs develop to the point that the
fetus may survive (with help) outside the womb. The fetus would not be able to survive at the
end of the first trimester. The end of the third trimester is the expected time of deliver. The fourth
trimester involves the time after delivery.
A nursing instructor is explaining the stages of fetal development to a group of nursing students.
The instructor determines the session is successful after the students correctly choose which time
period as representing the pre-embryonic stage? correct answersFrom fertilization to the end of
the second week after fertilization
The pre-embryonic stage begins at fertilization and lasts through the end of the second week
after fertilization. The embryonic stage begins approximately 2 weeks after fertilization and ends
at the conclusion of the eighth week after fertilization. The fetal stage begins at 9 weeks after
fertilization and ends at birth. There is no distinct stage recognized approximately 6 to 8 weeks
after fertilization. This is part of the embryonic stage period.
Amniotic fluid is produced throughout the pregnancy by the fetal membranes. Amniotic fluid has
four major functions. What is one of these functions? correct answersPhysical protection
Amniotic fluid serves four main functions for the fetus: physical protection, temperature
regulation, provision of unrestricted movement, and symmetrical growth.
When a man ejaculates, his sperm begin a long and arduous journey to fertilize the woman's
ovum. What in the semen produces smooth muscle contractions in the uterus to help the sperm
along on their journey? correct answersProstaglandins
Prostaglandins in the semen increase smooth muscle contractions of the uterus that facilitate the
transport of sperm.
The nurse is conducting a presentation for a young adult community group about fetal
development and pregnancy. The nurse determines that the teaching was successful when the
group identifies that the sex of offspring is determined at which time? correct answersat
fertilization
Sex determination occurs at the time of fertilization. Meiosis refers to cell division resulting in
the formation of an ovum or sperm with half the number of chromosomes. The morula develops
after a series of four cleavages following the formation of the zygote. Oogenesis refers to the
development of a mature ovum, which has half the number of chromosomes.
A nurse is asked to auscultate the fetal heart sounds in a pregnant client. Which of the following
equipment is most appropriate when auscultating fetal heart sounds at the 12th week? correct
answersDoppler
Fetal heart sounds are best heard with the Doppler from the 10th week onward. They can be
heard with the fetoscope by about the 18th to 20th week only. A tocodynometer is used to record
uterine contractions and not to auscultate fetal heart tones. Fetal heart tones may not be audible
with an ordinary stethoscope at the 12th week.
A fertilized ovum is known as which structure? correct answerszygote
A fertilized ovum is known as a zygote and is the beginning of potential individual human
development. The developing human organism is known as an embryo from the time it implants
on the uterine wall until the eighth week after inception and as a fetus from the beginning of the
ninth week after fertilization through birth. The chorion is the outermost cell layer that surrounds
the embryo and fluid cavity.
The fluid-filled, inner membrane sac surrounding the fetus is which structure? correct
answersamnion
,The fluid-filled, inner membrane sac surrounding the fetus is the amnion. The chorion is the
outer membrane surrounding the fetus. The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus. The
decidua is the name used for the endometrium during pregnancy.
A nursing student studying reproduction identifies which of the following statements to be
correct? correct answersTwenty-two of the 23 pairs of chromosomes are autosomes and the
remaining pair is the sex chromosomes.
The nucleus of each soma cell contains 46 chromosomes, arranged in 23 pairs. Each parent
donates one chromosome of every pair. Each chromosome is composed of genes, which are
segments of DNA that control hereditary traits. Twenty-two of the 23 pairs of chromosomes are
autosomes, and the remaining pair, the sex chromosomes, determines an individual gender.
A nursing instructor teaching a maternity course realizes a student needs more instruction upon
overhearing the student make which of the following statements? correct answers"Different
sexual positions can determine the sex of the fetus."
Some couples mistakenly believe that they can influence sex determination by using certain
sexual positions, ingesting certain foods before intercourse, or timing sex to occur at specific
times during the menstrual cycle. These beliefs are often rooted in folklore and not based on
scientific principles.
The nurse explains to a pregnant woman that the germ layers that develop in the embryo and
become different organs and tissues consist of which layers? Select all that apply. correct
answersectoderm
mesoderm
endoderm
The three germ layers in the embryo are the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. The others are
layers of the skin.
During a clinical rotation at a prenatal clinic, a client asks a nurse what causes certain birth
defects. The nurse replies that they can be caused by teratogens. What does the severity of the
defects depend on? Select all that apply. correct answersWhen during development the conceptus
is exposed to the teratogen
The particular teratogen to which the fetus is exposed
A teratogen is a substance that causes birth defects. The severity of the defect depends on when
during development the conceptus is exposed to the teratogen and the particular teratogenic
agent to which the fetus is exposed.
What medication should the nurse advise a woman to discontinue prior to becoming pregnant
because it will damage the developing dental and osseous tissue in the fetus? correct
answerstetracycline
Tetracycline may damage the developing dental and osseous tissue in the fetus.
, A woman has just learned that she is pregnant and would like to know how soon she can find out
via ultrasound the sex of her fetus. The nurse should respond with which of the following?
correct answersAt about 4 months
Although fetal gender is usually determined by an ultrasound screen at about 4 months, it can be
determined as early as 7 weeks by analysis of maternal serum.
The nurse is explaining the process of fertilization to a patient who has just learned of being
pregnant. On which day during pregnancy should the nurse explain that the embryo implants on
the uterine surface? correct answersEight to 10 days after fertilization
Implantation, or contact between the growing structure and the uterine endometrium, occurs
approximately 8 to 10 days after fertilization. Four days after fertilization the structure is a
zygote. Implantation does not occur on the 14th day of a typical menstrual cycle or 10 days after
the start of a menstrual flow.
Which body system is most affected throughout the embryonic and fetal period by teratogens?
correct answersCentral nervous system
Whether the teratogen is ingested, injected, occurs through an infectious agent or is
environmental, the CNS and brain are the body systems that are most seriously affected during
this period.
A multigravida client is concerned that she may deliver early. When asking the nurse what is the
earliest her baby can be delivered and survive, which time frame would the nurse point out?
correct answersThe end of the second trimester
During the second trimester, fetal growth is significant. The fetus begins this trimester 3 inches
long and weighing less than 1 oz (0.8 gm). By the end of the second trimester, the fetus is about
15 inches long and weighs more than 2 lbs (1000 gm). Major organs develop to the point that the
fetus may survive (with help) outside the womb. The fetus would not be able to survive at the
end of the first trimester. The end of the third trimester is the expected time of deliver. The fourth
trimester involves the time after delivery.
A nursing instructor is explaining the stages of fetal development to a group of nursing students.
The instructor determines the session is successful after the students correctly choose which time
period as representing the pre-embryonic stage? correct answersFrom fertilization to the end of
the second week after fertilization
The pre-embryonic stage begins at fertilization and lasts through the end of the second week
after fertilization. The embryonic stage begins approximately 2 weeks after fertilization and ends
at the conclusion of the eighth week after fertilization. The fetal stage begins at 9 weeks after
fertilization and ends at birth. There is no distinct stage recognized approximately 6 to 8 weeks
after fertilization. This is part of the embryonic stage period.
