MIDWIFERY EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
ANSWERS|ALREADY GRADED A
What is the first stage of the menstrual cycle (that lasts 4-7 days) known
as? Correct Ans- Menstrual Cycle
What is the second stage of the menstrual cycle (lasting 8-13 days)
known as? Correct Ans- Follicular Phase
What is the third stage of the menstrual cycle, occurring at day 14,
known as? Correct Ans- Ovulatory Phase
What is the final stage of the menstrual cycle known as? Correct Ans-
Luteal Phase
What occurs during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle? Correct
Ans- FSH causes follicle maturation in the ovary. Increased oestrogen
causes the endometrium to thicken and become a nourishing
environment for a potential pregnancy.
Define Ovulation Correct Ans- A period of heightened hormones where
a dominant follicle releases an egg into a Fallopian tube.
Which hormone is responsible for ovulation? Correct Ans- LH
(Luteinizing Hormone)
,What happens during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle? Correct
Ans- Oestrogen decreases, progesterone increases due to the corpus
luteum.
What happens during the menstrual phase of the menstrual cycle?
Correct Ans- Oestrogen and progesterone decrease and the endometrial
lining is shed.
How long is an egg viable for following ovulation? Correct Ans- 1 day
What happens if an egg is not fertilised? Correct Ans- Progesterone
decreases, corpus luteum is reabsorbed and FSH causes new follicles to
start maturing.
Define capacitation Correct Ans- The protective covering of the
acrosome of the sperm is removed.
What sort of reaction begins when a sperm comes into contact with an
egg? Correct Ans- Cortical reaction - cortical granules block any other
sperm from entering the egg
How many chromosomes does a zygote contain? Correct Ans- 46, in 23
homologous pairs
How many cells does the merula have? Correct Ans- 8 to 16
, How many cells does the blastocyst have? Correct Ans- 16 to 32
How many days after ovulation can implantation occur? Correct Ans- 6
to 10 days
Define decidualisation Correct Ans- Progesterone increases, creating a
hospitable environment for the developing fetus.
What are trophoblasts? Correct Ans- Cells on the outer layer of the
blastocyst
What are integrins? Correct Ans- Cell adhesion molecules that work in
implantation.
What is the chorion? Correct Ans- Fetal part of placenta made out of
trophoblast cells
Which hormone causes skin pigmentation in pregnancy? Correct Ans-
Pituitary melanin-stimulating hormone
What is the linea nigra? Correct Ans- Abdominal midline
What is striae gravidarum? Correct Ans- Stretch marks
ANSWERS|ALREADY GRADED A
What is the first stage of the menstrual cycle (that lasts 4-7 days) known
as? Correct Ans- Menstrual Cycle
What is the second stage of the menstrual cycle (lasting 8-13 days)
known as? Correct Ans- Follicular Phase
What is the third stage of the menstrual cycle, occurring at day 14,
known as? Correct Ans- Ovulatory Phase
What is the final stage of the menstrual cycle known as? Correct Ans-
Luteal Phase
What occurs during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle? Correct
Ans- FSH causes follicle maturation in the ovary. Increased oestrogen
causes the endometrium to thicken and become a nourishing
environment for a potential pregnancy.
Define Ovulation Correct Ans- A period of heightened hormones where
a dominant follicle releases an egg into a Fallopian tube.
Which hormone is responsible for ovulation? Correct Ans- LH
(Luteinizing Hormone)
,What happens during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle? Correct
Ans- Oestrogen decreases, progesterone increases due to the corpus
luteum.
What happens during the menstrual phase of the menstrual cycle?
Correct Ans- Oestrogen and progesterone decrease and the endometrial
lining is shed.
How long is an egg viable for following ovulation? Correct Ans- 1 day
What happens if an egg is not fertilised? Correct Ans- Progesterone
decreases, corpus luteum is reabsorbed and FSH causes new follicles to
start maturing.
Define capacitation Correct Ans- The protective covering of the
acrosome of the sperm is removed.
What sort of reaction begins when a sperm comes into contact with an
egg? Correct Ans- Cortical reaction - cortical granules block any other
sperm from entering the egg
How many chromosomes does a zygote contain? Correct Ans- 46, in 23
homologous pairs
How many cells does the merula have? Correct Ans- 8 to 16
, How many cells does the blastocyst have? Correct Ans- 16 to 32
How many days after ovulation can implantation occur? Correct Ans- 6
to 10 days
Define decidualisation Correct Ans- Progesterone increases, creating a
hospitable environment for the developing fetus.
What are trophoblasts? Correct Ans- Cells on the outer layer of the
blastocyst
What are integrins? Correct Ans- Cell adhesion molecules that work in
implantation.
What is the chorion? Correct Ans- Fetal part of placenta made out of
trophoblast cells
Which hormone causes skin pigmentation in pregnancy? Correct Ans-
Pituitary melanin-stimulating hormone
What is the linea nigra? Correct Ans- Abdominal midline
What is striae gravidarum? Correct Ans- Stretch marks
