NSG 3500 Midterm Exam – Maternal Health 2026/2027
| Galen College of Nursing | Actual Questions &
Detailed Rationales
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section I — Reproductive Anatomy, Genetics & Conception
Section II — Pregnancy, Physiologic Changes & Prenatal Assessment
Section III — Prenatal Nutrition, Education & Health Promotion
Section IV — Pregnancy Complications & High-Risk Conditions
Section V — Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy
Section VI — Antepartum Bleeding, Diabetes & Other Complications
Section VII — Labor & Birth
Section VIII — Fetal Assessment & Electronic Monitoring
Section IX — Integrated Maternal Health Clinical Judgment
SECTION I — REPRODUCTIVE ANATOMY, GENETICS & CONCEPTION
1. Which structure is the usual site of fertilization?
A. Cervix
B. Uterine fundus
C. Ampulla of the fallopian tube
D. Vagina
Answer: C. Ampulla of the fallopian tube
Rationale: Fertilization most commonly occurs in the ampulla, the wider portion
of the fallopian tube. The fertilized ovum then travels toward the uterus for
implantation.
,2. Which hormone is primarily responsible for ovulation?
A. Progesterone
B. Luteinizing hormone
C. Human chorionic gonadotropin
D. Prolactin
Answer: B. Luteinizing hormone
Rationale: A surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers ovulation. After ovulation,
the corpus luteum produces progesterone.
3. What is the primary function of progesterone during pregnancy?
A. Stimulate uterine contractions
B. Maintain the endometrium and support pregnancy
C. Cause ovulation
D. Initiate menstruation
Answer: B. Maintain the endometrium and support pregnancy
Rationale: Progesterone supports the endometrial lining and helps maintain
pregnancy. It also decreases uterine contractility.
4. Which hormone is produced by the placenta and detected by most pregnancy
tests?
A. hCG
B. FSH
C. LH
D. Oxytocin
Answer: A. hCG
Rationale: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced by placental
trophoblastic tissue. It is the hormone detected by pregnancy tests.
,5. What is the primary function of the placenta?
A. Produce fetal urine
B. Exchange oxygen, nutrients, and waste between maternal and fetal circulation
C. Digest fetal nutrients
D. Produce fetal red blood cells throughout pregnancy
Answer: B. Exchange oxygen, nutrients, and waste between maternal and fetal
circulation
Rationale: The placenta serves as the major exchange organ between mother and
fetus and also produces important pregnancy hormones.
6. Which structure connects the fetus to the placenta?
A. Amnion
B. Umbilical cord
C. Cervix
D. Chorion only
Answer: B. Umbilical cord
Rationale: The umbilical cord connects the fetus with the placenta and normally
contains two arteries and one vein.
7. Which umbilical vessel carries oxygenated blood toward the fetus?
A. Umbilical artery
B. Umbilical vein
C. Ductus arteriosus
D. Inferior vena cava
Answer: B. Umbilical vein
Rationale: The umbilical vein carries oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood from the
placenta toward the fetus. The umbilical arteries carry deoxygenated blood back
toward the placenta.
, 8. Implantation normally occurs in the:
A. Ovary
B. Endometrium of the uterus
C. Cervix
D. Vagina
Answer: B. Endometrium of the uterus
Rationale: After fertilization and early cellular division, the blastocyst implants
into the endometrial lining of the uterus.
9. Which structure produces progesterone during early pregnancy?
A. Corpus luteum
B. Cervix
C. Amnion
D. Umbilical artery
Answer: A. Corpus luteum
Rationale: The corpus luteum produces progesterone during early pregnancy until
placental hormone production is sufficient to maintain the pregnancy.
10. Which hormone is primarily responsible for stimulating milk production
after birth?
A. Oxytocin
B. Prolactin
C. Estrogen
D. hCG
Answer: B. Prolactin
Rationale: Prolactin stimulates milk production. Oxytocin is primarily responsible
for milk ejection.
| Galen College of Nursing | Actual Questions &
Detailed Rationales
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section I — Reproductive Anatomy, Genetics & Conception
Section II — Pregnancy, Physiologic Changes & Prenatal Assessment
Section III — Prenatal Nutrition, Education & Health Promotion
Section IV — Pregnancy Complications & High-Risk Conditions
Section V — Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy
Section VI — Antepartum Bleeding, Diabetes & Other Complications
Section VII — Labor & Birth
Section VIII — Fetal Assessment & Electronic Monitoring
Section IX — Integrated Maternal Health Clinical Judgment
SECTION I — REPRODUCTIVE ANATOMY, GENETICS & CONCEPTION
1. Which structure is the usual site of fertilization?
A. Cervix
B. Uterine fundus
C. Ampulla of the fallopian tube
D. Vagina
Answer: C. Ampulla of the fallopian tube
Rationale: Fertilization most commonly occurs in the ampulla, the wider portion
of the fallopian tube. The fertilized ovum then travels toward the uterus for
implantation.
,2. Which hormone is primarily responsible for ovulation?
A. Progesterone
B. Luteinizing hormone
C. Human chorionic gonadotropin
D. Prolactin
Answer: B. Luteinizing hormone
Rationale: A surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers ovulation. After ovulation,
the corpus luteum produces progesterone.
3. What is the primary function of progesterone during pregnancy?
A. Stimulate uterine contractions
B. Maintain the endometrium and support pregnancy
C. Cause ovulation
D. Initiate menstruation
Answer: B. Maintain the endometrium and support pregnancy
Rationale: Progesterone supports the endometrial lining and helps maintain
pregnancy. It also decreases uterine contractility.
4. Which hormone is produced by the placenta and detected by most pregnancy
tests?
A. hCG
B. FSH
C. LH
D. Oxytocin
Answer: A. hCG
Rationale: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced by placental
trophoblastic tissue. It is the hormone detected by pregnancy tests.
,5. What is the primary function of the placenta?
A. Produce fetal urine
B. Exchange oxygen, nutrients, and waste between maternal and fetal circulation
C. Digest fetal nutrients
D. Produce fetal red blood cells throughout pregnancy
Answer: B. Exchange oxygen, nutrients, and waste between maternal and fetal
circulation
Rationale: The placenta serves as the major exchange organ between mother and
fetus and also produces important pregnancy hormones.
6. Which structure connects the fetus to the placenta?
A. Amnion
B. Umbilical cord
C. Cervix
D. Chorion only
Answer: B. Umbilical cord
Rationale: The umbilical cord connects the fetus with the placenta and normally
contains two arteries and one vein.
7. Which umbilical vessel carries oxygenated blood toward the fetus?
A. Umbilical artery
B. Umbilical vein
C. Ductus arteriosus
D. Inferior vena cava
Answer: B. Umbilical vein
Rationale: The umbilical vein carries oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood from the
placenta toward the fetus. The umbilical arteries carry deoxygenated blood back
toward the placenta.
, 8. Implantation normally occurs in the:
A. Ovary
B. Endometrium of the uterus
C. Cervix
D. Vagina
Answer: B. Endometrium of the uterus
Rationale: After fertilization and early cellular division, the blastocyst implants
into the endometrial lining of the uterus.
9. Which structure produces progesterone during early pregnancy?
A. Corpus luteum
B. Cervix
C. Amnion
D. Umbilical artery
Answer: A. Corpus luteum
Rationale: The corpus luteum produces progesterone during early pregnancy until
placental hormone production is sufficient to maintain the pregnancy.
10. Which hormone is primarily responsible for stimulating milk production
after birth?
A. Oxytocin
B. Prolactin
C. Estrogen
D. hCG
Answer: B. Prolactin
Rationale: Prolactin stimulates milk production. Oxytocin is primarily responsible
for milk ejection.
