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NSG 3500 MATERNAL EXAM 1— COMPREHENSIVE —EXAM QUESTIONS
LATEST EDITION 2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q1. A perinatal nurse is explaining fetal development to a new nurse. By which
week of gestation has the female fetus typically developed ovaries?
A) 8 weeks
B) 10 weeks
C) 12 weeks
D) 16 weeks
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The development of ovaries in the female fetus occurs around 10 weeks
gestation. Placenta formation occurs around 12–16 weeks, neural tube closure is
complete by 28 days, and amniotic fluid production begins around 12 weeks .
Q2. A nurse is teaching an adolescent about reproductive development. At which
phase of life are ova produced and estrogen secreted?
A) Puberty
B) Birth
C) The climacteric
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D) Pregnancy
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ova are produced and estrogen is secreted at puberty, when the
hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is activated and secondary sexual characteristics
develop .
Q3. A nurse is conducting prenatal classes and explains the surgical incision made
to enlarge the perineal opening for a vaginal birth. What is this incision called?
A) Colposcopy
B) Episiotomy
C) Ligation
D) Septal myotomy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An episiotomy is a surgical incision made to enlarge the perineal opening
during delivery to prevent severe tears or facilitate vaginal birth .
Q4. Which hormone is primarily responsible for regulating oogenesis?
A) Estrogen
B) Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
C) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
D) Progesterone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: FSH, secreted by the anterior pituitary, stimulates the growth and maturation
of ovarian follicles and regulates oogenesis .
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Q5. A pregnant woman has been advised that she has a platypelloid pelvis type.
What action by the prenatal nurse is most appropriate?
A) Advise the woman that she may need a cesarean delivery
B) Educate the woman that a posterior fetal presentation is possible
C) Instruct the woman on specific back strengthening exercises
D) Reassure the woman that a trial of labor will still be allowed
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A platypelloid pelvis is flattened with a short obstetrical conjugate, which
may prevent fetal descent and increase the likelihood of cesarean delivery .
Q6. A pediatric nurse assesses a 13-year-old girl and notices that she is in
thelarche. What does this term refer to?
A) The appearance of breast buds
B) The appearance of secondary sex characteristics
C) The first menstrual period
D) The growth of pubic hair
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Thelarche refers specifically to the appearance of breast buds, which is
typically the first sign of puberty in females .
Q7. An adolescent states that her vaginal secretions sometimes seem more thin,
watery, and stretchable than usual. What response from the nurse is best?
A) Advise the patient that this is related to her periods
B) Educate the patient that she is fertile when this occurs
C) Instruct the patient to douche after her periods
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D) Screen the patient for sexually transmitted infections
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Thin, watery, stretchable cervical mucus (spinnbarkeit) is characteristic of
the periovulatory period, indicating fertility .
Q8. A perimenopausal woman complains to the nurse about the new onset of
urinary stress incontinence. Which statement by the nurse is best?
A) “A little incontinence is normal at your age.”
B) “Clonidine (Catapres) is a new treatment for this.”
C) “This is probably related to decreased estrogen.”
D) “We need to start you on estrogen therapy.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Decreased estrogen levels during perimenopause lead to weakening of the
pelvic floor muscles and urethral support, contributing to stress incontinence .
Q9. The clinic nurse knows that the part of the uterine cycle that occurs between
ovulation and the onset of menses is known as which phase?
A) Ischemic phase
B) Menstrual phase
C) Proliferative phase
D) Secretory phase
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The secretory phase occurs after ovulation, when the corpus luteum
secretes progesterone to prepare the endometrium for implantation .
NSG 3500 MATERNAL EXAM 1— COMPREHENSIVE —EXAM QUESTIONS
LATEST EDITION 2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q1. A perinatal nurse is explaining fetal development to a new nurse. By which
week of gestation has the female fetus typically developed ovaries?
A) 8 weeks
B) 10 weeks
C) 12 weeks
D) 16 weeks
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The development of ovaries in the female fetus occurs around 10 weeks
gestation. Placenta formation occurs around 12–16 weeks, neural tube closure is
complete by 28 days, and amniotic fluid production begins around 12 weeks .
Q2. A nurse is teaching an adolescent about reproductive development. At which
phase of life are ova produced and estrogen secreted?
A) Puberty
B) Birth
C) The climacteric
, Page 2 of 111
D) Pregnancy
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ova are produced and estrogen is secreted at puberty, when the
hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is activated and secondary sexual characteristics
develop .
Q3. A nurse is conducting prenatal classes and explains the surgical incision made
to enlarge the perineal opening for a vaginal birth. What is this incision called?
A) Colposcopy
B) Episiotomy
C) Ligation
D) Septal myotomy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An episiotomy is a surgical incision made to enlarge the perineal opening
during delivery to prevent severe tears or facilitate vaginal birth .
Q4. Which hormone is primarily responsible for regulating oogenesis?
A) Estrogen
B) Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
C) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
D) Progesterone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: FSH, secreted by the anterior pituitary, stimulates the growth and maturation
of ovarian follicles and regulates oogenesis .
, Page 3 of 111
Q5. A pregnant woman has been advised that she has a platypelloid pelvis type.
What action by the prenatal nurse is most appropriate?
A) Advise the woman that she may need a cesarean delivery
B) Educate the woman that a posterior fetal presentation is possible
C) Instruct the woman on specific back strengthening exercises
D) Reassure the woman that a trial of labor will still be allowed
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A platypelloid pelvis is flattened with a short obstetrical conjugate, which
may prevent fetal descent and increase the likelihood of cesarean delivery .
Q6. A pediatric nurse assesses a 13-year-old girl and notices that she is in
thelarche. What does this term refer to?
A) The appearance of breast buds
B) The appearance of secondary sex characteristics
C) The first menstrual period
D) The growth of pubic hair
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Thelarche refers specifically to the appearance of breast buds, which is
typically the first sign of puberty in females .
Q7. An adolescent states that her vaginal secretions sometimes seem more thin,
watery, and stretchable than usual. What response from the nurse is best?
A) Advise the patient that this is related to her periods
B) Educate the patient that she is fertile when this occurs
C) Instruct the patient to douche after her periods
, Page 4 of 111
D) Screen the patient for sexually transmitted infections
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Thin, watery, stretchable cervical mucus (spinnbarkeit) is characteristic of
the periovulatory period, indicating fertility .
Q8. A perimenopausal woman complains to the nurse about the new onset of
urinary stress incontinence. Which statement by the nurse is best?
A) “A little incontinence is normal at your age.”
B) “Clonidine (Catapres) is a new treatment for this.”
C) “This is probably related to decreased estrogen.”
D) “We need to start you on estrogen therapy.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Decreased estrogen levels during perimenopause lead to weakening of the
pelvic floor muscles and urethral support, contributing to stress incontinence .
Q9. The clinic nurse knows that the part of the uterine cycle that occurs between
ovulation and the onset of menses is known as which phase?
A) Ischemic phase
B) Menstrual phase
C) Proliferative phase
D) Secretory phase
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The secretory phase occurs after ovulation, when the corpus luteum
secretes progesterone to prepare the endometrium for implantation .
