CHAPTER 10
Chapter 10: Anatomy and Physiology of Pregnancy
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A woman’s obstetrical 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 gravidity 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
ANS: B
The correct calculation of this woman’s gravidity and parity is 4-1-2-0-4.
The numbers reflect the woman’s gravidity and parity information. Using the GPTAL
system, her information is calculated as follows:
G: This, the first number, reflects the total number of times the woman has been
pregnant; she is pregnant for the fourth time.
T: This number indicates the number of pregnancies carried to term, not the number of
deliveries at term; only one of her pregnancies has resulted in a fetus at term. P: This is
the number of pregnancies that resulted in a preterm birth; the woman has had two
pregnancies in which she delivered preterm.
A: This number signifies whether the woman has had any abortions or miscarriages
before the period of viability; she has not.
L: This number signifies the number of children born who are currently living; the woman
has four children.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 208 OBJ: Nursing Process: Diagnosis
2. A woman is 6 weeks pregnant. She has had a previous spontaneous abortion at 14 weeks
of gestation and a pregnancy that ended at 38 weeks with the birth of a stillborn girl.
What is her gravidity and parity using the GTPAL system?
, a. 2-0-0-1-1
b. 2-1-0-1-0
c. 3-1-0-1-0
d. 3-0-1-1-0
ANS: C
The correct calculation of this woman’s gravidity and parity is 3-1-0-1-0.
This patient’s gravidity and parity information is calculated as follows:
G: Total number of times the woman has been pregnant (she is pregnant for the third
time)
T: Number of pregnancies carried to term (she has had only one pregnancy that resulted
in a fetus at term)
P: Number of pregnancies that resulted in a preterm birth (none)
A: Abortions or miscarriages before the period of viability (she has had one)
L: Number of children born who are currently living (she has no living children)
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 208 OBJ: Nursing Process: Diagnosis
3. Over-the-counter (OTC) pregnancy tests usually rely on which technology to test for
human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)?
a. Radioimmunoassay
b. Radioreceptor assay
c. Latex agglutination test
d. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
(ELISA )
ANS: D
ELISA technology is used in OTC pregnancy tests for its one-step, accurate results.
Radioimmunoassay, radioreceptor assay, and latex agglutination tests are all used to
detect hCG at varying times in the early gestational period, but they are not characteristic
of OTC pregnancy tests.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 208
OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment
4. Which presumptive sign or symptom of pregnancy would a woman at 10 weeks of
gestation most likely have?
, a. Amenorrhea
b. Positive pregnancy test
c. Chadwick’s sign
d. Hegar’s sign
ANS: A
Amenorrhea is a presumptive sign of pregnancy. Presumptive signs of pregnancy are
those felt by the woman. A positive pregnancy test, the presence of Chadwick’s sign, and
the presence of Hegar’s sign are probable signs of pregnancy.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 210
OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment
5. The nurse teaches a pregnant woman about the presumptive, probable, and positive
signs of pregnancy. The woman demonstrates understanding of the nurse’s instructions if
she states which is a positive sign of pregnancy?
a. A positive pregnancy test
b. Fetal movement palpated by the nurse
c. Braxton Hicks contractions
d. Quickening
ANS: B
Positive signs of pregnancy are those attributed to the presence of a fetus, such as
hearing the fetal heartbeat or palpating fetal movement. A positive pregnancy test and
Braxton Hicks contractions would be probable signs of pregnancy. Quickening would be a
presumptive sign of pregnancy.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 210 OBJ: Nursing Process: Planning
6. A woman is at 14 weeks of gestation. The nurse would expect to palpate the fundus at
which level?
a. The fundus is not palpable above the
symphysis at this time.
b. Slightly above the symphysis pubis
c. At the level of the umbilicus
d. Slightly above the umbilicus
ANS: B
Chapter 10: Anatomy and Physiology of Pregnancy
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A woman’s obstetrical 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 gravidity 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
ANS: B
The correct calculation of this woman’s gravidity and parity is 4-1-2-0-4.
The numbers reflect the woman’s gravidity and parity information. Using the GPTAL
system, her information is calculated as follows:
G: This, the first number, reflects the total number of times the woman has been
pregnant; she is pregnant for the fourth time.
T: This number indicates the number of pregnancies carried to term, not the number of
deliveries at term; only one of her pregnancies has resulted in a fetus at term. P: This is
the number of pregnancies that resulted in a preterm birth; the woman has had two
pregnancies in which she delivered preterm.
A: This number signifies whether the woman has had any abortions or miscarriages
before the period of viability; she has not.
L: This number signifies the number of children born who are currently living; the woman
has four children.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 208 OBJ: Nursing Process: Diagnosis
2. A woman is 6 weeks pregnant. She has had a previous spontaneous abortion at 14 weeks
of gestation and a pregnancy that ended at 38 weeks with the birth of a stillborn girl.
What is her gravidity and parity using the GTPAL system?
, a. 2-0-0-1-1
b. 2-1-0-1-0
c. 3-1-0-1-0
d. 3-0-1-1-0
ANS: C
The correct calculation of this woman’s gravidity and parity is 3-1-0-1-0.
This patient’s gravidity and parity information is calculated as follows:
G: Total number of times the woman has been pregnant (she is pregnant for the third
time)
T: Number of pregnancies carried to term (she has had only one pregnancy that resulted
in a fetus at term)
P: Number of pregnancies that resulted in a preterm birth (none)
A: Abortions or miscarriages before the period of viability (she has had one)
L: Number of children born who are currently living (she has no living children)
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 208 OBJ: Nursing Process: Diagnosis
3. Over-the-counter (OTC) pregnancy tests usually rely on which technology to test for
human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)?
a. Radioimmunoassay
b. Radioreceptor assay
c. Latex agglutination test
d. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
(ELISA )
ANS: D
ELISA technology is used in OTC pregnancy tests for its one-step, accurate results.
Radioimmunoassay, radioreceptor assay, and latex agglutination tests are all used to
detect hCG at varying times in the early gestational period, but they are not characteristic
of OTC pregnancy tests.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 208
OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment
4. Which presumptive sign or symptom of pregnancy would a woman at 10 weeks of
gestation most likely have?
, a. Amenorrhea
b. Positive pregnancy test
c. Chadwick’s sign
d. Hegar’s sign
ANS: A
Amenorrhea is a presumptive sign of pregnancy. Presumptive signs of pregnancy are
those felt by the woman. A positive pregnancy test, the presence of Chadwick’s sign, and
the presence of Hegar’s sign are probable signs of pregnancy.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 210
OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment
5. The nurse teaches a pregnant woman about the presumptive, probable, and positive
signs of pregnancy. The woman demonstrates understanding of the nurse’s instructions if
she states which is a positive sign of pregnancy?
a. A positive pregnancy test
b. Fetal movement palpated by the nurse
c. Braxton Hicks contractions
d. Quickening
ANS: B
Positive signs of pregnancy are those attributed to the presence of a fetus, such as
hearing the fetal heartbeat or palpating fetal movement. A positive pregnancy test and
Braxton Hicks contractions would be probable signs of pregnancy. Quickening would be a
presumptive sign of pregnancy.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 210 OBJ: Nursing Process: Planning
6. A woman is at 14 weeks of gestation. The nurse would expect to palpate the fundus at
which level?
a. The fundus is not palpable above the
symphysis at this time.
b. Slightly above the symphysis pubis
c. At the level of the umbilicus
d. Slightly above the umbilicus
ANS: B
