N144 EXAM 2 MATERNITY O/B -SAMUEL MERRIT
UNIVERSITY |ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
Sally comes in for her first prenatal examination. This is her first child. She asks you (the
nurse), "How does my baby get air inside my uterus?" The correct response is:
a. "The baby's lungs work in utero to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide."
b. "The baby absorbs oxygen from your blood system."
c. "The placenta provides oxygen to the baby and excretes carbon dioxide into your
bloodstream."
d. "The placenta delivers oxygen-rich blood through the umbilical artery to the baby's
abdomen."
CORRECT ANSWER
c. "The placenta provides oxygen to the baby and excretes carbon dioxide into your
bloodstream."
The placenta functions by supplying oxygen and excreting carbon dioxide to the maternal
bloodstream. The fetal lungs do not function for respiratory gas exchange in utero. The
baby does not simply absorb oxygen from a woman's blood system. Blood and gas
transport occur through the placenta. The placenta delivers oxygen-rich blood through
the umbilical vein and not the artery.
Question 2
As relates to the structure and function of the placenta, the maternity nurse should be
aware that:
1
,a. as the placenta widens, it gradually thins to allow easier passage of air and nutrients.
b. as one of its early functions, the placenta acts as an endocrine gland.
c. the placenta is able to keep out most potentially toxic substances such as cigarette smoke
to which the mother is exposed.
d. optimal blood circulation is achieved through the placenta when the woman is lying on
her back or standing.
CORRECT ANSWER
b. as one of its early functions, the placenta acts as an endocrine gland.
The placenta produces four hormones necessary to maintain the pregnancy. The placenta
widens until week 20 and continues to grow thicker. Toxic substances such as nicotine
and carbon monoxide readily cross the placenta into the fetus. Optimal circulation occurs
when the woman is lying on her side.
Question 3
The nurse caring for a pregnant patient knows that her health teaching regarding fetal
circulation has been effective when the patient reports that she has been sleeping:
a. in a side-lying position.
b. on her back with a pillow under her knees.
c. with the head of the bed elevated.
d. on her abdomen.
CORRECT ANSWER
a. in a side-lying position.
Optimal circulation is achieved when the woman is lying at rest on her side. Decreased
uterine circulation may lead to intrauterine growth restriction. Previously it was believed
that the left lateral position promoted maternal cardiac output, enhancing blood flow to
the fetus. However, it is now known that the side-lying position enhances uteroplacental
blood flow. If a woman lies on her back with the pressure of the uterus compressing the
2
, vena cava, blood return to the right atrium is diminished. Although having the head of
the bed elevated is recommended and ideal for later in pregnancy, the woman still must
maintain a lateral tilt to the pelvis to avoid compression of the vena cava. Many women
find lying on her abdomen uncomfortable as pregnancy advances. Side-lying is the ideal
position to promote blood flow to the fetus.
Question 4
The placenta allows exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products between the
mother and fetus by:
a. contact between maternal blood and fetal capillaries within the chorionic villi.
b. interaction of maternal and fetal pH levels within the endometrial vessels.
c. a mixture of maternal and fetal blood within the intervillous spaces.
d. passive diffusion of maternal carbon dioxide and oxygen into the fetal capillaries.
CORRECT ANSWER
a. contact between maternal blood and fetal capillaries within the chorionic villi.
Fetal capillaries within the chorionic villi are bathed with oxygen-rich and nutrient-rich
maternal blood within the intervillous spaces. The endometrial vessels are part of the
uterus. There is no interaction with the fetal blood at this point. Maternal and fetal
bloods do not normally mix. Maternal carbon dioxide does not enter into the fetal
circulation.
Question 5
Along with gas exchange and nutrient transfer, the placenta produces many hormones
necessary for normal pregnancy. These include: (Select all that apply.)
a. human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
3
, b. insulin.
c. estrogen.
d. progesterone.
e. testosterone.
CORRECT ANSWER
a. human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
c. estrogen.
d. progesterone.
hCG causes the corpus luteum to persist and produce the necessary estrogens and
progesterone for the first 6 to 8 weeks. Estrogens cause enlargement of the woman's
uterus and breasts; cause growth of the ductal system in the breasts; and, as term
approaches, play a role in the initiation of labor. Progesterone causes the endometrium
to change, providing early nourishment. Progesterone also protects against spontaneous
abortion by suppressing maternal reactions to fetal antigens and reduces unnecessary
uterine contractions.
Question 6
A woman's obstetric history indicates that she is pregnant for the fourth time and all of
her children from previous pregnancies are living. One was born at 39 weeks of gestation,
twins were born at 34 weeks of gestation, and another child was born at 35 weeks of
gestation. What is her gravidy and parity using the GTPAL system?
a. 3-1-1-1-3
b. 4-1-2-0-4
c. 3-0-3-0-3
d. 4-2-1-0-3
CORRECT ANSWER
b. 4-1-2-0-4
4
UNIVERSITY |ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
Sally comes in for her first prenatal examination. This is her first child. She asks you (the
nurse), "How does my baby get air inside my uterus?" The correct response is:
a. "The baby's lungs work in utero to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide."
b. "The baby absorbs oxygen from your blood system."
c. "The placenta provides oxygen to the baby and excretes carbon dioxide into your
bloodstream."
d. "The placenta delivers oxygen-rich blood through the umbilical artery to the baby's
abdomen."
CORRECT ANSWER
c. "The placenta provides oxygen to the baby and excretes carbon dioxide into your
bloodstream."
The placenta functions by supplying oxygen and excreting carbon dioxide to the maternal
bloodstream. The fetal lungs do not function for respiratory gas exchange in utero. The
baby does not simply absorb oxygen from a woman's blood system. Blood and gas
transport occur through the placenta. The placenta delivers oxygen-rich blood through
the umbilical vein and not the artery.
Question 2
As relates to the structure and function of the placenta, the maternity nurse should be
aware that:
1
,a. as the placenta widens, it gradually thins to allow easier passage of air and nutrients.
b. as one of its early functions, the placenta acts as an endocrine gland.
c. the placenta is able to keep out most potentially toxic substances such as cigarette smoke
to which the mother is exposed.
d. optimal blood circulation is achieved through the placenta when the woman is lying on
her back or standing.
CORRECT ANSWER
b. as one of its early functions, the placenta acts as an endocrine gland.
The placenta produces four hormones necessary to maintain the pregnancy. The placenta
widens until week 20 and continues to grow thicker. Toxic substances such as nicotine
and carbon monoxide readily cross the placenta into the fetus. Optimal circulation occurs
when the woman is lying on her side.
Question 3
The nurse caring for a pregnant patient knows that her health teaching regarding fetal
circulation has been effective when the patient reports that she has been sleeping:
a. in a side-lying position.
b. on her back with a pillow under her knees.
c. with the head of the bed elevated.
d. on her abdomen.
CORRECT ANSWER
a. in a side-lying position.
Optimal circulation is achieved when the woman is lying at rest on her side. Decreased
uterine circulation may lead to intrauterine growth restriction. Previously it was believed
that the left lateral position promoted maternal cardiac output, enhancing blood flow to
the fetus. However, it is now known that the side-lying position enhances uteroplacental
blood flow. If a woman lies on her back with the pressure of the uterus compressing the
2
, vena cava, blood return to the right atrium is diminished. Although having the head of
the bed elevated is recommended and ideal for later in pregnancy, the woman still must
maintain a lateral tilt to the pelvis to avoid compression of the vena cava. Many women
find lying on her abdomen uncomfortable as pregnancy advances. Side-lying is the ideal
position to promote blood flow to the fetus.
Question 4
The placenta allows exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products between the
mother and fetus by:
a. contact between maternal blood and fetal capillaries within the chorionic villi.
b. interaction of maternal and fetal pH levels within the endometrial vessels.
c. a mixture of maternal and fetal blood within the intervillous spaces.
d. passive diffusion of maternal carbon dioxide and oxygen into the fetal capillaries.
CORRECT ANSWER
a. contact between maternal blood and fetal capillaries within the chorionic villi.
Fetal capillaries within the chorionic villi are bathed with oxygen-rich and nutrient-rich
maternal blood within the intervillous spaces. The endometrial vessels are part of the
uterus. There is no interaction with the fetal blood at this point. Maternal and fetal
bloods do not normally mix. Maternal carbon dioxide does not enter into the fetal
circulation.
Question 5
Along with gas exchange and nutrient transfer, the placenta produces many hormones
necessary for normal pregnancy. These include: (Select all that apply.)
a. human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
3
, b. insulin.
c. estrogen.
d. progesterone.
e. testosterone.
CORRECT ANSWER
a. human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
c. estrogen.
d. progesterone.
hCG causes the corpus luteum to persist and produce the necessary estrogens and
progesterone for the first 6 to 8 weeks. Estrogens cause enlargement of the woman's
uterus and breasts; cause growth of the ductal system in the breasts; and, as term
approaches, play a role in the initiation of labor. Progesterone causes the endometrium
to change, providing early nourishment. Progesterone also protects against spontaneous
abortion by suppressing maternal reactions to fetal antigens and reduces unnecessary
uterine contractions.
Question 6
A woman's obstetric history indicates that she is pregnant for the fourth time and all of
her children from previous pregnancies are living. One was born at 39 weeks of gestation,
twins were born at 34 weeks of gestation, and another child was born at 35 weeks of
gestation. What is her gravidy and parity using the GTPAL system?
a. 3-1-1-1-3
b. 4-1-2-0-4
c. 3-0-3-0-3
d. 4-2-1-0-3
CORRECT ANSWER
b. 4-1-2-0-4
4
