NUR 209 Reproductive Final Exam MD 8 Excelsior
College Study Guide 2026/2027 | Maternal-
Newborn Nursing Review, Practice Questions,
Answers & Exam Prep
Questions 1–15: Reproductive Anatomy & Physiology
1. The nurse is reviewing the menstrual cycle with a patient. Which hormone
surge directly triggers ovulation?
A. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
B. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
C. Progesterone
D. Estrogen
Correct Answer: B. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Rationale: The LH surge at midcycle induces follicular rupture and release of
the mature ovum approximately 36 hours later. FSH stimulates follicular growth,
while progesterone maintains the endometrium after ovulation. Estrogen peaks
before the LH surge but does not directly trigger ovulation.
2. A 28-year-old woman presents with amenorrhea and galactorrhea. Which
endocrine disorder is most likely?
A. Polycystic ovarian syndrome
B. Hyperprolactinemia
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Premature ovarian failure
Correct Answer: B. Hyperprolactinemia
Rationale: Elevated prolactin suppresses gonadotropin-releasing hormone
(GnRH), resulting in decreased FSH/LH secretion, amenorrhea, and galactorrhea.
,PCOS presents with irregular menses and hyperandrogenism, not typically
galactorrhea.
3. Which structure expels the mature ovum during ovulation?
A. Blastocyst
B. Corpus luteum
C. Graafian follicle
D. Fallopian tube
Correct Answer: C. Graafian follicle
Rationale: The Graafian follicle is the mature ovarian follicle that ruptures to
release the ovum. The corpus luteum forms after ovulation from the remaining
follicular tissue. The fallopian tube is the site of fertilization, not ovulation.
4. A nurse is teaching a patient about the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
Which statement indicates correct understanding?
A. "This phase begins on day 1 of my period."
B. "Progesterone levels rise to prepare the uterus for pregnancy."
C. "Ovulation occurs at the end of this phase."
D. "Estrogen is the dominant hormone during this phase."
Correct Answer: B. "Progesterone levels rise to prepare the uterus for
pregnancy."
Rationale: The luteal phase follows ovulation (approximately days 15–28). The
corpus luteum secretes progesterone, which thickens the endometrium for
potential implantation. Ovulation marks the transition from follicular to luteal
phase.
5. Which hormone maintains the corpus luteum during early pregnancy?
,A. Estrogen
B. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
C. Progesterone
D. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Correct Answer: B. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
Rationale: hCG produced by the trophoblast maintains the corpus luteum,
which continues progesterone production until the placenta takes over at
approximately 8–10 weeks. Progesterone is the product, not the maintainer.
6. A 50-year-old woman reports hot flashes, night sweats, and irregular menses.
Which physiologic process explains these symptoms?
A. Increased estrogen production
B. Declining ovarian follicle function
C. Pituitary adenoma
D. Thyroid dysfunction
Correct Answer: B. Declining ovarian follicle function
Rationale: Menopause results from depletion of ovarian follicles, leading to
decreased estrogen and progesterone. Vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes, night
sweats) result from fluctuating estrogen levels. Menopause is defined clinically as
12 months without menstruation.
7. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected testicular torsion. Which finding
is most consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Gradual onset of scrotal swelling
B. Absent cremasteric reflex
C. Pain relieved by elevation
D. Bilateral scrotal tenderness
, Correct Answer: B. Absent cremasteric reflex
Rationale: Testicular torsion presents with sudden severe scrotal pain and
absent cremasteric reflex. The affected testis may be high-riding. Pain relieved by
elevation suggests epididymitis instead. Torsion is a surgical emergency requiring
detorsion within 6 hours to preserve fertility.
8. Which layer of the uterus is shed during menstruation?
A. Myometrium
B. Perimetrium
C. Endometrium
D. Serosa
Correct Answer: C. Endometrium
Rationale: The endometrium is the inner functional layer that thickens under
estrogen and progesterone influence and is shed during menstruation if
implantation does not occur. The myometrium is the muscular layer, and the
perimetrium is the outer serosal layer.
9. A nurse is reviewing the anatomy of the male reproductive system. Which
structure stores sperm until ejaculation?
A. Prostate gland
B. Epididymis
C. Seminal vesicle
D. Vas deferens
Correct Answer: B. Epididymis
Rationale: The epididymis is a coiled tube where sperm mature and are stored
until ejaculation. The vas deferens transports sperm during ejaculation. The
prostate and seminal vesicles contribute fluid to semen.
College Study Guide 2026/2027 | Maternal-
Newborn Nursing Review, Practice Questions,
Answers & Exam Prep
Questions 1–15: Reproductive Anatomy & Physiology
1. The nurse is reviewing the menstrual cycle with a patient. Which hormone
surge directly triggers ovulation?
A. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
B. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
C. Progesterone
D. Estrogen
Correct Answer: B. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Rationale: The LH surge at midcycle induces follicular rupture and release of
the mature ovum approximately 36 hours later. FSH stimulates follicular growth,
while progesterone maintains the endometrium after ovulation. Estrogen peaks
before the LH surge but does not directly trigger ovulation.
2. A 28-year-old woman presents with amenorrhea and galactorrhea. Which
endocrine disorder is most likely?
A. Polycystic ovarian syndrome
B. Hyperprolactinemia
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Premature ovarian failure
Correct Answer: B. Hyperprolactinemia
Rationale: Elevated prolactin suppresses gonadotropin-releasing hormone
(GnRH), resulting in decreased FSH/LH secretion, amenorrhea, and galactorrhea.
,PCOS presents with irregular menses and hyperandrogenism, not typically
galactorrhea.
3. Which structure expels the mature ovum during ovulation?
A. Blastocyst
B. Corpus luteum
C. Graafian follicle
D. Fallopian tube
Correct Answer: C. Graafian follicle
Rationale: The Graafian follicle is the mature ovarian follicle that ruptures to
release the ovum. The corpus luteum forms after ovulation from the remaining
follicular tissue. The fallopian tube is the site of fertilization, not ovulation.
4. A nurse is teaching a patient about the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
Which statement indicates correct understanding?
A. "This phase begins on day 1 of my period."
B. "Progesterone levels rise to prepare the uterus for pregnancy."
C. "Ovulation occurs at the end of this phase."
D. "Estrogen is the dominant hormone during this phase."
Correct Answer: B. "Progesterone levels rise to prepare the uterus for
pregnancy."
Rationale: The luteal phase follows ovulation (approximately days 15–28). The
corpus luteum secretes progesterone, which thickens the endometrium for
potential implantation. Ovulation marks the transition from follicular to luteal
phase.
5. Which hormone maintains the corpus luteum during early pregnancy?
,A. Estrogen
B. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
C. Progesterone
D. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Correct Answer: B. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
Rationale: hCG produced by the trophoblast maintains the corpus luteum,
which continues progesterone production until the placenta takes over at
approximately 8–10 weeks. Progesterone is the product, not the maintainer.
6. A 50-year-old woman reports hot flashes, night sweats, and irregular menses.
Which physiologic process explains these symptoms?
A. Increased estrogen production
B. Declining ovarian follicle function
C. Pituitary adenoma
D. Thyroid dysfunction
Correct Answer: B. Declining ovarian follicle function
Rationale: Menopause results from depletion of ovarian follicles, leading to
decreased estrogen and progesterone. Vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes, night
sweats) result from fluctuating estrogen levels. Menopause is defined clinically as
12 months without menstruation.
7. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected testicular torsion. Which finding
is most consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Gradual onset of scrotal swelling
B. Absent cremasteric reflex
C. Pain relieved by elevation
D. Bilateral scrotal tenderness
, Correct Answer: B. Absent cremasteric reflex
Rationale: Testicular torsion presents with sudden severe scrotal pain and
absent cremasteric reflex. The affected testis may be high-riding. Pain relieved by
elevation suggests epididymitis instead. Torsion is a surgical emergency requiring
detorsion within 6 hours to preserve fertility.
8. Which layer of the uterus is shed during menstruation?
A. Myometrium
B. Perimetrium
C. Endometrium
D. Serosa
Correct Answer: C. Endometrium
Rationale: The endometrium is the inner functional layer that thickens under
estrogen and progesterone influence and is shed during menstruation if
implantation does not occur. The myometrium is the muscular layer, and the
perimetrium is the outer serosal layer.
9. A nurse is reviewing the anatomy of the male reproductive system. Which
structure stores sperm until ejaculation?
A. Prostate gland
B. Epididymis
C. Seminal vesicle
D. Vas deferens
Correct Answer: B. Epididymis
Rationale: The epididymis is a coiled tube where sperm mature and are stored
until ejaculation. The vas deferens transports sperm during ejaculation. The
prostate and seminal vesicles contribute fluid to semen.
