Galen College NSG 3500 Exam 1 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Maternal Health
Q&A | Maternal Health Nursing
1. A nurse is teaching a class about female reproductive anatomy. A student
asks which structure is responsible for producing eggs and female sex
hormones. The nurse's best response is the:
A) Fallopian tubes
B) Uterus
C) Ovaries
D) Cervix
Correct Answer: Ovaries
Rationale: The ovaries are the female gonads responsible for producing ova
(eggs) and the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. The
fallopian tubes transport the ovum to the uterus, the uterus houses the
developing fetus, and the cervix is the lower portion of the uterus.
2. A nurse is explaining the menstrual cycle to a patient. The nurse identifies
that the primary female sex hormone responsible for regulating the
menstrual cycle and stimulating the proliferation of the endometrial lining is:
A) Progesterone
B) Estrogen
C) Prolactin
D) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
Correct Answer: Estrogen
Rationale: Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone that regulates the
menstrual cycle and stimulates the proliferation of the endometrial lining in
preparation for pregnancy. Progesterone decreases uterine contractility and
,prepares the uterus for implantation. Prolactin triggers milk production, and
GnRH stimulates the release of FSH and LH.
3. A patient tells the nurse that her 13-year-old daughter has not yet started
her menstrual period. The nurse's best response is:
A) "This is a concern; we should start testing for hormonal imbalances."
B) "Menarche typically occurs around age 13, and it is normal if it occurs
between ages 9 and 16."
C) "She should see a specialist immediately."
D) "Most girls start their period at age 10."
Correct Answer: "Menarche typically occurs around age 13, and it is normal if
it occurs between ages 9 and 16."
Rationale: The first menstrual period, known as menarche, usually occurs
around the age of 13, with a normal range typically between 9 and 16 years
old. This is a normal developmental milestone.
4. A nurse is assessing a patient who is 10 weeks pregnant. The nurse
explains that fertilization typically occurs in the:
A) Uterus
B) Cervix
C) Ovary
D) Fallopian tubes
Correct Answer: Fallopian tubes
Rationale: Fertilization usually occurs in the ampulla of the fallopian tubes.
After fertilization, the zygote travels down the fallopian tube to implant in the
uterus.
,5. A nurse is providing education to a patient trying to conceive. The patient
asks about the definition of infertility. The nurse's best response is:
A) "Infertility is the inability to conceive after 6 months of regular
unprotected intercourse."
B) "Infertility is the inability to conceive after one year of regular unprotected
intercourse."
C) "Infertility is the inability to conceive after 2 years of regular unprotected
intercourse."
D) "Infertility is the inability to maintain a pregnancy."
Correct Answer: "Infertility is the inability to conceive after one year of
regular unprotected intercourse."
Rationale: Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of
regular unprotected intercourse. For women over 35, evaluation is often
recommended after 6 months.
6. A nurse is teaching a group of adolescents about puberty. The nurse
explains that the beginning of sexual maturation marked by the appearance
of breast buds is called:
A) Menarche
B) Thelarche
C) Pubarche
D) Gonadarche
Correct Answer: Thelarche
Rationale: Thelarche marks the beginning of sexual maturation with the
appearance of breast buds. Menarche is the first menstrual period, pubarche
, is the appearance of pubic hair, and gonadarche refers to the activation of
the gonads.
7. A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing dysmenorrhea (painful
menses). The nurse explains that the hormone responsible for causing
vasoconstriction and muscle contractions leading to tissue ischemia and pain
is:
A) Estrogen
B) Progesterone
C) Prostaglandins
D) Oxytocin
Correct Answer: Prostaglandins
Rationale: Prostaglandins cause vasoconstriction and muscle contractions
leading to tissue ischemia and dysmenorrhea during menstruation. Estrogen
and progesterone are the primary sex hormones, and oxytocin is involved in
labor.
8. A nurse is providing education to a patient about hormonal contraception.
The nurse explains that progesterone is responsible for which effect on the
uterus?
A) Stimulating the proliferation of the endometrial lining
B) Decreasing uterine contractility and preparing the uterus for implantation
C) Triggering ovulation
D) Causing vasoconstriction and tissue ischemia
Correct Answer: Decreasing uterine contractility and preparing the uterus for
implantation
Q&A | Maternal Health Nursing
1. A nurse is teaching a class about female reproductive anatomy. A student
asks which structure is responsible for producing eggs and female sex
hormones. The nurse's best response is the:
A) Fallopian tubes
B) Uterus
C) Ovaries
D) Cervix
Correct Answer: Ovaries
Rationale: The ovaries are the female gonads responsible for producing ova
(eggs) and the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. The
fallopian tubes transport the ovum to the uterus, the uterus houses the
developing fetus, and the cervix is the lower portion of the uterus.
2. A nurse is explaining the menstrual cycle to a patient. The nurse identifies
that the primary female sex hormone responsible for regulating the
menstrual cycle and stimulating the proliferation of the endometrial lining is:
A) Progesterone
B) Estrogen
C) Prolactin
D) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
Correct Answer: Estrogen
Rationale: Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone that regulates the
menstrual cycle and stimulates the proliferation of the endometrial lining in
preparation for pregnancy. Progesterone decreases uterine contractility and
,prepares the uterus for implantation. Prolactin triggers milk production, and
GnRH stimulates the release of FSH and LH.
3. A patient tells the nurse that her 13-year-old daughter has not yet started
her menstrual period. The nurse's best response is:
A) "This is a concern; we should start testing for hormonal imbalances."
B) "Menarche typically occurs around age 13, and it is normal if it occurs
between ages 9 and 16."
C) "She should see a specialist immediately."
D) "Most girls start their period at age 10."
Correct Answer: "Menarche typically occurs around age 13, and it is normal if
it occurs between ages 9 and 16."
Rationale: The first menstrual period, known as menarche, usually occurs
around the age of 13, with a normal range typically between 9 and 16 years
old. This is a normal developmental milestone.
4. A nurse is assessing a patient who is 10 weeks pregnant. The nurse
explains that fertilization typically occurs in the:
A) Uterus
B) Cervix
C) Ovary
D) Fallopian tubes
Correct Answer: Fallopian tubes
Rationale: Fertilization usually occurs in the ampulla of the fallopian tubes.
After fertilization, the zygote travels down the fallopian tube to implant in the
uterus.
,5. A nurse is providing education to a patient trying to conceive. The patient
asks about the definition of infertility. The nurse's best response is:
A) "Infertility is the inability to conceive after 6 months of regular
unprotected intercourse."
B) "Infertility is the inability to conceive after one year of regular unprotected
intercourse."
C) "Infertility is the inability to conceive after 2 years of regular unprotected
intercourse."
D) "Infertility is the inability to maintain a pregnancy."
Correct Answer: "Infertility is the inability to conceive after one year of
regular unprotected intercourse."
Rationale: Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of
regular unprotected intercourse. For women over 35, evaluation is often
recommended after 6 months.
6. A nurse is teaching a group of adolescents about puberty. The nurse
explains that the beginning of sexual maturation marked by the appearance
of breast buds is called:
A) Menarche
B) Thelarche
C) Pubarche
D) Gonadarche
Correct Answer: Thelarche
Rationale: Thelarche marks the beginning of sexual maturation with the
appearance of breast buds. Menarche is the first menstrual period, pubarche
, is the appearance of pubic hair, and gonadarche refers to the activation of
the gonads.
7. A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing dysmenorrhea (painful
menses). The nurse explains that the hormone responsible for causing
vasoconstriction and muscle contractions leading to tissue ischemia and pain
is:
A) Estrogen
B) Progesterone
C) Prostaglandins
D) Oxytocin
Correct Answer: Prostaglandins
Rationale: Prostaglandins cause vasoconstriction and muscle contractions
leading to tissue ischemia and dysmenorrhea during menstruation. Estrogen
and progesterone are the primary sex hormones, and oxytocin is involved in
labor.
8. A nurse is providing education to a patient about hormonal contraception.
The nurse explains that progesterone is responsible for which effect on the
uterus?
A) Stimulating the proliferation of the endometrial lining
B) Decreasing uterine contractility and preparing the uterus for implantation
C) Triggering ovulation
D) Causing vasoconstriction and tissue ischemia
Correct Answer: Decreasing uterine contractility and preparing the uterus for
implantation
