PSY 140 Module 2 Exam Lifespan Development Prenatal to Early Childhood Actual
Exam 2026/2027 – Complete 30 Questions with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified |
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SECTION A: PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT & BIRTH (Q1–Q6)
Q1: A couple who conceived 10 days ago learns that the fertilized egg has completed its
journey down the fallopian tube and is now implanted in the uterine lining. In which
prenatal stage is the developing organism?
A. Fetal period
B. Embryonic period
C. Germinal period [CORRECT]
D. Neonatal period
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The germinal period spans fertilization through implantation (approximately
the first two weeks). The embryonic period begins after implantation with organ
formation, and the fetal period is the final growth stage until birth.
Q2: A pregnant woman reports consuming alcohol heavily during what she later learned
was the fifth week of pregnancy, when the body's major organ systems were forming.
During which prenatal period is the developing organism most vulnerable to structural
damage from teratogens?
A. Germinal period
B. Fetal period
C. Embryonic period [CORRECT]
D. Neonatal period
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The embryonic period (roughly weeks 3–8) is when organs are being formed,
making structural malformations most likely from teratogenic exposure. The germinal
period typically results in all-or-nothing effects, and the fetal period involves growth and
refinement rather than new organ formation.
Q3: A newborn presents with a smooth philtrum, thin upper lip, small head
circumference, and is later diagnosed with intellectual disability. The mother reports
drinking heavily throughout her pregnancy. Which condition do these findings indicate?
A. Down syndrome
B. Cerebral palsy
C. Fetal alcohol syndrome [CORRECT]
D. Spina bifida
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: The characteristic facial features, microcephaly, and cognitive impairment
from prenatal alcohol exposure define fetal alcohol syndrome. Down syndrome is
chromosomal, cerebral palsy involves motor impairment from brain injury, and spina
bifida is a neural tube defect linked to folate deficiency.
Q4: Which prenatal stage is the longest, extending from approximately nine weeks after
conception until birth, and is characterized by dramatic growth and the refinement of
organ systems?
A. Germinal stage
B. Embryonic stage
C. Zygotic stage
D. Fetal stage [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The fetal period is by far the longest prenatal stage, devoted to rapid growth
and functional refinement of already-formed organs. The germinal and embryonic
stages are much shorter and involve conception-to-implantation and organ formation,
respectively, and "zygotic" is not a recognized stage.
Q5: A nurse gently strokes a newborn's cheek, and the infant turns her head toward the
touch and opens her mouth in search of a nipple. Which newborn reflex is being
demonstrated?
A. Moro reflex
B. Rooting reflex [CORRECT]
C. Babinski reflex
D. Stepping reflex
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Head turning toward a cheek stimulus with mouth opening is the rooting
reflex, which supports feeding. The Moro is a startle response, the Babinski is fanning of
the toes, and the stepping reflex involves leg movements when held upright.
Q6: A newborn receives an Apgar score of 9 at five minutes after birth. How should this
score be interpreted?
A. The infant is in severe distress and requires immediate resuscitation
B. The infant is moderately abnormal and requires assisted breathing
C. The infant is in good condition and requires only routine care [CORRECT]
D. The score measures gestational age rather than condition at birth
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Apgar scores of 7–10 indicate a newborn in good condition needing routine
care; scores of 4–6 warrant assistance and 0–3 indicate urgent resuscitation. The
Exam 2026/2027 – Complete 30 Questions with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified |
Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
SECTION A: PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT & BIRTH (Q1–Q6)
Q1: A couple who conceived 10 days ago learns that the fertilized egg has completed its
journey down the fallopian tube and is now implanted in the uterine lining. In which
prenatal stage is the developing organism?
A. Fetal period
B. Embryonic period
C. Germinal period [CORRECT]
D. Neonatal period
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The germinal period spans fertilization through implantation (approximately
the first two weeks). The embryonic period begins after implantation with organ
formation, and the fetal period is the final growth stage until birth.
Q2: A pregnant woman reports consuming alcohol heavily during what she later learned
was the fifth week of pregnancy, when the body's major organ systems were forming.
During which prenatal period is the developing organism most vulnerable to structural
damage from teratogens?
A. Germinal period
B. Fetal period
C. Embryonic period [CORRECT]
D. Neonatal period
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The embryonic period (roughly weeks 3–8) is when organs are being formed,
making structural malformations most likely from teratogenic exposure. The germinal
period typically results in all-or-nothing effects, and the fetal period involves growth and
refinement rather than new organ formation.
Q3: A newborn presents with a smooth philtrum, thin upper lip, small head
circumference, and is later diagnosed with intellectual disability. The mother reports
drinking heavily throughout her pregnancy. Which condition do these findings indicate?
A. Down syndrome
B. Cerebral palsy
C. Fetal alcohol syndrome [CORRECT]
D. Spina bifida
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: The characteristic facial features, microcephaly, and cognitive impairment
from prenatal alcohol exposure define fetal alcohol syndrome. Down syndrome is
chromosomal, cerebral palsy involves motor impairment from brain injury, and spina
bifida is a neural tube defect linked to folate deficiency.
Q4: Which prenatal stage is the longest, extending from approximately nine weeks after
conception until birth, and is characterized by dramatic growth and the refinement of
organ systems?
A. Germinal stage
B. Embryonic stage
C. Zygotic stage
D. Fetal stage [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The fetal period is by far the longest prenatal stage, devoted to rapid growth
and functional refinement of already-formed organs. The germinal and embryonic
stages are much shorter and involve conception-to-implantation and organ formation,
respectively, and "zygotic" is not a recognized stage.
Q5: A nurse gently strokes a newborn's cheek, and the infant turns her head toward the
touch and opens her mouth in search of a nipple. Which newborn reflex is being
demonstrated?
A. Moro reflex
B. Rooting reflex [CORRECT]
C. Babinski reflex
D. Stepping reflex
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Head turning toward a cheek stimulus with mouth opening is the rooting
reflex, which supports feeding. The Moro is a startle response, the Babinski is fanning of
the toes, and the stepping reflex involves leg movements when held upright.
Q6: A newborn receives an Apgar score of 9 at five minutes after birth. How should this
score be interpreted?
A. The infant is in severe distress and requires immediate resuscitation
B. The infant is moderately abnormal and requires assisted breathing
C. The infant is in good condition and requires only routine care [CORRECT]
D. The score measures gestational age rather than condition at birth
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Apgar scores of 7–10 indicate a newborn in good condition needing routine
care; scores of 4–6 warrant assistance and 0–3 indicate urgent resuscitation. The
