NUR 254 Exam 2 : Maternal and Pediatrics Galen College
of Nursing Practice Exam 100 Questions with Correct Answers
and Explanations in Italics.
Question 1
A nurse is teaching a group of adolescent females about the menstrual cycle. Which
hormone is responsible for ovulation?
A) Estrogen
B) Progesterone
C) Luteinizing hormone (LH)
D) Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Answer: C) Luteinizing hormone (LH)
*Rationale: A surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers ovulation approximately 24-36
hours after the surge begins. FSH stimulates follicle growth, and estrogen thickens the
endometrium.*
Question 2
A nursing student is reviewing the phases of the menstrual cycle. The secretory phase of
the endometrium is primarily influenced by which hormone?
A) Estrogen
B) Progesterone
C) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
D) Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
,Answer: B) Progesterone
Rationale: After ovulation, the corpus luteum secretes progesterone, which causes the
endometrium to become secretory and prepared for implantation.
Question 3
The nurse is teaching a patient about fertilization. Where does fertilization typically
occur?
A) Fundus of the uterus
B) Ampulla of the fallopian tube
C) Cervical os
D) Ovarian cortex
Answer: B) Ampulla of the fallopian tube
Rationale: Fertilization typically occurs in the ampulla (outer third) of the fallopian tube.
The zygote then travels to the uterus for implantation.
Question 4
A patient asks the nurse about the function of the placenta. Which of the following is a
primary function of the placenta?
A) Produces human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
B) Provides oxygen and nutrients to the fetus
C) Removes fetal waste products
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: The placenta functions as a temporary organ of pregnancy with multiple roles:
hormone production (hCG, estrogen, progesterone), respiratory exchange (oxygen and
CO2), nutrient transfer, and waste elimination via the maternal bloodstream.
,Question 5
The nurse is educating a pregnant patient about expected hormonal changes. Which
hormone is the basis for pregnancy tests?
A) Estrogen
B) Progesterone
C) Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
D) Human placental lactogen (hPL)
Answer: C) Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
Rationale: hCG is produced by the syncytiotrophoblast of the placenta and is detectable in
maternal serum and urine shortly after implantation. It is the hormone detected by
pregnancy tests.
Question 6
A patient at 8 weeks gestation asks the nurse when the baby's heart will start beating.
The nurse responds that cardiac activity begins at approximately:
A) 2 weeks
B) 3-4 weeks
C) 5-6 weeks
D) 8-10 weeks
Answer: B) 3-4 weeks
*Rationale: Cardiac activity begins around 3-4 weeks gestation. It can be visualized on
ultrasound as early as 5-6 weeks.*
Question 7
The nurse is explaining fetal development to a group of pregnant women. Which
statement about the embryonic period is correct?
A) It is the period of greatest vulnerability to teratogens
, B) It occurs from 8-12 weeks
C) It is characterized by rapid growth but no organ formation
D) It begins at 12 weeks
Answer: A) It is the period of greatest vulnerability to teratogens
*Rationale: The embryonic period (weeks 3-8) is when all major organ systems are
forming, making it the period of greatest susceptibility to teratogens.*
Question 8
The nurse is teaching about the functions of amniotic fluid. Which of the following is
NOT a function of amniotic fluid?
A) Cushions the fetus from trauma
B) Allows fetal movement
C) Provides nutrition to the fetus
D) Maintains a stable temperature
Answer: C) Provides nutrition to the fetus
Rationale: Amniotic fluid cushions the fetus, allows movement, maintains temperature,
and prevents umbilical cord compression. Nutrition is provided through the placenta, not
amniotic fluid.
Question 9
A pregnant patient at 20 weeks gestation asks the nurse when she will feel the baby
move. The nurse explains that quickening is typically felt between:
A) 8-10 weeks
B) 12-14 weeks
C) 16-20 weeks
D) 24-28 weeks
of Nursing Practice Exam 100 Questions with Correct Answers
and Explanations in Italics.
Question 1
A nurse is teaching a group of adolescent females about the menstrual cycle. Which
hormone is responsible for ovulation?
A) Estrogen
B) Progesterone
C) Luteinizing hormone (LH)
D) Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Answer: C) Luteinizing hormone (LH)
*Rationale: A surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers ovulation approximately 24-36
hours after the surge begins. FSH stimulates follicle growth, and estrogen thickens the
endometrium.*
Question 2
A nursing student is reviewing the phases of the menstrual cycle. The secretory phase of
the endometrium is primarily influenced by which hormone?
A) Estrogen
B) Progesterone
C) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
D) Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
,Answer: B) Progesterone
Rationale: After ovulation, the corpus luteum secretes progesterone, which causes the
endometrium to become secretory and prepared for implantation.
Question 3
The nurse is teaching a patient about fertilization. Where does fertilization typically
occur?
A) Fundus of the uterus
B) Ampulla of the fallopian tube
C) Cervical os
D) Ovarian cortex
Answer: B) Ampulla of the fallopian tube
Rationale: Fertilization typically occurs in the ampulla (outer third) of the fallopian tube.
The zygote then travels to the uterus for implantation.
Question 4
A patient asks the nurse about the function of the placenta. Which of the following is a
primary function of the placenta?
A) Produces human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
B) Provides oxygen and nutrients to the fetus
C) Removes fetal waste products
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: The placenta functions as a temporary organ of pregnancy with multiple roles:
hormone production (hCG, estrogen, progesterone), respiratory exchange (oxygen and
CO2), nutrient transfer, and waste elimination via the maternal bloodstream.
,Question 5
The nurse is educating a pregnant patient about expected hormonal changes. Which
hormone is the basis for pregnancy tests?
A) Estrogen
B) Progesterone
C) Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
D) Human placental lactogen (hPL)
Answer: C) Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
Rationale: hCG is produced by the syncytiotrophoblast of the placenta and is detectable in
maternal serum and urine shortly after implantation. It is the hormone detected by
pregnancy tests.
Question 6
A patient at 8 weeks gestation asks the nurse when the baby's heart will start beating.
The nurse responds that cardiac activity begins at approximately:
A) 2 weeks
B) 3-4 weeks
C) 5-6 weeks
D) 8-10 weeks
Answer: B) 3-4 weeks
*Rationale: Cardiac activity begins around 3-4 weeks gestation. It can be visualized on
ultrasound as early as 5-6 weeks.*
Question 7
The nurse is explaining fetal development to a group of pregnant women. Which
statement about the embryonic period is correct?
A) It is the period of greatest vulnerability to teratogens
, B) It occurs from 8-12 weeks
C) It is characterized by rapid growth but no organ formation
D) It begins at 12 weeks
Answer: A) It is the period of greatest vulnerability to teratogens
*Rationale: The embryonic period (weeks 3-8) is when all major organ systems are
forming, making it the period of greatest susceptibility to teratogens.*
Question 8
The nurse is teaching about the functions of amniotic fluid. Which of the following is
NOT a function of amniotic fluid?
A) Cushions the fetus from trauma
B) Allows fetal movement
C) Provides nutrition to the fetus
D) Maintains a stable temperature
Answer: C) Provides nutrition to the fetus
Rationale: Amniotic fluid cushions the fetus, allows movement, maintains temperature,
and prevents umbilical cord compression. Nutrition is provided through the placenta, not
amniotic fluid.
Question 9
A pregnant patient at 20 weeks gestation asks the nurse when she will feel the baby
move. The nurse explains that quickening is typically felt between:
A) 8-10 weeks
B) 12-14 weeks
C) 16-20 weeks
D) 24-28 weeks
