NUR 2513 / NUR2513: Maternal-Child Nursing Exam 1
Latest Edition | Rasmussen University | 75 Multiple-Choice Questions
Section 1: Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology (Questions 1-10)
Q1: A nursing student is reviewing female reproductive anatomy. Which structure is responsible for
producing estrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle?
A. Fallopian tubes
B. Ovaries [CORRECT]
C. Endometrium
D. Myometrium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ovaries are the primary female reproductive organs responsible for producing both estrogen and
progesterone, as well as containing the oocytes. The fallopian tubes transport the ovum, the endometrium is the inner
lining of the uterus that responds to hormonal changes, and the myometrium is the muscular layer of the uterus
responsible for contractions during labor.
Q2: A nurse is explaining hormonal regulation of the menstrual cycle to a patient. Which hormone is
primarily responsible for stimulating ovulation?
A. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
B. Estrogen
C. Luteinizing hormone (LH) [CORRECT]
D. Progesterone
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Luteinizing hormone (LH) surge triggers ovulation, which is the release of a mature oocyte from the
ovarian follicle. FSH stimulates follicular development in the first half of the cycle, estrogen promotes endometrial
proliferation and triggers the LH surge, and progesterone is primarily secreted by the corpus luteum after ovulation
to maintain the endometrium.
Q3: A pregnant patient at her first prenatal visit reports her last menstrual period (LMP) began on March
5. Using Naegele's Rule, what is the estimated date of delivery (EDD)?
A. December 12 [CORRECT]
B. November 28
C. December 1
D. November 10
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Naegele's Rule calculates the EDD by subtracting 3 months from the first day of the LMP, adding 7
days, and then adding 1 year. March 5 minus 3 months equals December 5, plus 7 days equals December 12.
November 28 results from adding 7 days incorrectly, December 1 results from an arithmetic error, and November
10 does not follow the correct formula.
Q4: A nurse is assessing a patient who is at 10 weeks' gestation. Which finding is classified as a positive
sign of pregnancy?
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,NUR 2513 / NUR2513: Maternal-Child Nursing Exam 1 (Latest 2026/2027) Rasmussen University
A. Amenorrhea
B. Breast tenderness
C. Fetal heart rate detected by Doppler ultrasound [CORRECT]
D. Positive urine pregnancy test
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Positive signs of pregnancy are those that are indisputable evidence of pregnancy, including fetal heart
rate detection, fetal movements palpated by a trained examiner, and ultrasound visualization of the fetus.
Amenorrhea and breast tenderness are presumptive signs, and a positive pregnancy test (detecting hCG) is classified
as a probable sign because false positives can occur with conditions such as hydatidiform mole or certain tumors.
Q5: A nurse is documenting a patient's obstetric history using the G/TPAL system. The patient has had 3
pregnancies, 2 term births, 1 preterm birth, 0 living children (both infants died), and 1 miscarriage. What
is the correct G/TPAL notation?
A. G3 T2 P1 A1 L0 [CORRECT]
B. G3 T2 P0 A2 L0
C. G4 T2 P1 A0 L0
D. G3 T1 P1 A1 L2
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The G/TPAL system documents Gravida (total pregnancies) = 3, Term births = 2, Preterm births = 1,
Abortions/miscarriages = 0 (since the 1 miscarriage is already counted as the third pregnancy, and the two deceased
infants are classified as term and preterm births, not abortions), and Living children = 0 since neither infant
survived. The key distinction is that infant deaths after birth are still counted in T or P, not in A.
Q6: A nurse is performing a prenatal assessment on a patient at 8 weeks' gestation. The patient asks
which sign of pregnancy the nurse can confirm by palpating the cervix. Which response by the nurse is
accurate?
A. "Chadwick's sign is a bluish-purple discoloration of the cervix caused by increased vascularity."
B. "Goodell's sign is the softening of the cervix that occurs in early pregnancy." [CORRECT]
C. "Hegar's sign is the softening of the lower uterine segment on bimanual examination."
D. "Braxton Hicks contractions are painless uterine contractions felt during palpation."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Goodell's sign refers to the softening of the cervical tip, which is a probable sign of pregnancy that can
be detected through palpation during a pelvic examination. Chadwick's sign is a visual finding (bluish discoloration),
not primarily detected by palpation. Hegar's sign involves the lower uterine segment, not the cervix itself. Braxton
Hicks contractions are irregular, painless contractions that occur later in pregnancy and are not a sign detected by
cervical palpation.
Q7: A nursing instructor is teaching about fertilization and implantation. In which anatomic structure
does fertilization normally occur?
A. Ovary
B. Uterus
C. Ampulla of the fallopian tube [CORRECT]
D. Fimbriae of the fallopian tube
Correct Answer: C
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, NUR 2513 / NUR2513: Maternal-Child Nursing Exam 1 (Latest 2026/2027) Rasmussen University
Rationale: Fertilization typically occurs in the ampulla, which is the widest section of the fallopian tube. The ovary
releases the oocyte, which is picked up by the fimbriae at the ovarian end of the tube, but fertilization does not occur
in the ovary or fimbriae. The uterus is where the fertilized ovum implants, usually in the upper posterior wall,
approximately 6 to 10 days after fertilization.
Q8: A patient at 12 weeks' gestation asks the nurse about presumptive signs of pregnancy. Which of the
following should the nurse include in the response?
A. Positive hCG blood test
B. Hegar's sign on palpation
C. Nausea and vomiting [CORRECT]
D. Fetal movement felt by the examiner
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nausea and vomiting are classified as presumptive signs of pregnancy, along with amenorrhea, breast
tenderness, fatigue, urinary frequency, and quickening. These signs are subjective and can be associated with other
conditions, making them the least reliable indicators of pregnancy. A positive hCG test and Hegar's sign are probable
signs, and fetal movement felt by the examiner is a positive sign.
Q9: A nurse is caring for a patient who has just experienced a spontaneous abortion at 10 weeks. The
patient asks why this happened. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate based on the physiology
of early pregnancy loss?
A. "Most first-trimester losses are caused by chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo, often
related to oocyte maturation errors." [CORRECT]
B. "First-trimester losses are typically due to maternal infections that were not treated during
pregnancy."
C. "The most common cause is trauma or physical injury to the uterus during early pregnancy."
D. "First-trimester losses usually result from inadequate progesterone production by the corpus luteum."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Approximately 50 to 70 percent of first-trimester spontaneous abortions are caused by chromosomal
abnormalities in the embryo, frequently arising from errors during meiosis and oocyte maturation. While maternal
infection, trauma, and hormonal imbalances can contribute to pregnancy loss, they are not the most common causes.
This explanation aligns with evidence-based understanding and provides the patient with accurate, non-blaming
information consistent with Rasmussen University nursing curriculum standards.
Q10: A nurse is reviewing the hormonal changes that maintain pregnancy. After the corpus luteum
degenerates, which structure takes over progesterone production to sustain the pregnancy?
A. Anterior pituitary gland
B. Placenta [CORRECT]
C. Adrenal cortex
D. Ovarian follicle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The placenta assumes the role of progesterone and estrogen production by approximately 10 to 12 weeks
of gestation, a transition known as the luteal-placental shift. The anterior pituitary gland produces FSH and LH but
does not produce progesterone. The adrenal cortex produces some progesterone but not in sufficient quantities to
maintain pregnancy. The ovarian follicle is involved in the menstrual cycle, not pregnancy maintenance.
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