Page 1 of 274
NSG 3500 EXAMS 1–4 – NURSING PRACTICE:
MATERNAL HEALTH
GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING | 2026–2027
ACADEMIC YEAR
COMPLETE PRACTICE QUESTION BANK
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & RATIONALES
itsjereguides
# EXAM 1 – FOUNDATIONS OF MATERNAL HEALTH & ANTEPARTUM CARE
## Unit 1: Reproductive Anatomy & Physiology
**Question 1**
A nursing student is reviewing the menstrual cycle. Which statement correctly describes the role
of estrogen during the proliferative phase?
A. Estrogen promotes the shedding of the endometrial lining
B. Estrogen stimulates the growth of the endometrial lining and proliferation of blood vessels
C. Estrogen maintains the endometrial lining in preparation for implantation
D. Estrogen triggers the release of follicle-stimulating hormone from the pituitary gland
**Correct Answer: B**
,Page 2 of 274
**Rationale:** During the proliferative phase (days 5–14 of the menstrual cycle), estrogen
secreted by developing ovarian follicles stimulates the regrowth and thickening of the
endometrial lining. Estrogen also promotes the proliferation of blood vessels within the
endometrium. Option A describes the menstrual phase; option C describes the role of
progesterone during the secretory phase; option D is incorrect because FSH is released from the
anterior pituitary and stimulates estrogen production, not the reverse.
---
**Question 2**
A client asks the nurse about the function of the fallopian tubes. Which response by the nurse is
most accurate?
A. "The fallopian tubes are where fertilization of the ovum by sperm typically occurs"
B. "The fallopian tubes produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone"
C. "The fallopian tubes are the site where the fetus develops during pregnancy"
D. "The fallopian tubes store mature ova until ovulation occurs"
**Correct Answer: A**
**Rationale:** Fertilization typically occurs in the ampulla (outer third) of the fallopian tube.
The ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone (option B), the uterus is the site of fetal
development (option C), and the ovaries store ova (option D).
---
**Question 3**
A nurse is teaching a group of adolescents about male reproductive anatomy. Which structure is
responsible for the production of sperm?
,Page 3 of 274
A. Epididymis
B. Vas deferens
C. Seminiferous tubules
D. Prostate gland
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The seminiferous tubules within the testes are the specific site of
spermatogenesis (sperm production). The epididymis stores and matures sperm (option A), the
vas deferens transports sperm (option B), and the prostate gland produces seminal fluid (option
D).
---
**Question 4**
A client asks the nurse what causes the release of the mature ovum during ovulation. The nurse
correctly responds that ovulation is triggered by:
A. A surge in luteinizing hormone (LH)
B. A decrease in progesterone levels
C. An increase in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
D. The release of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
**Correct Answer: A**
**Rationale:** Ovulation is triggered by a mid-cycle surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) from the
anterior pituitary gland. This LH surge causes the mature follicle to release the ovum. FSH
stimulates follicle growth earlier in the cycle (option C). Progesterone decreases after ovulation
if fertilization does not occur (option B). hCG is produced by the developing embryo after
implantation (option D).
, Page 4 of 274
**Question 5**
A nurse is explaining the phases of the menstrual cycle to a client. Which phase occurs after
ovulation and is characterized by the secretion of progesterone?
A. Proliferative phase
B. Secretory phase
C. Menstrual phase
D. Follicular phase
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The secretory (luteal) phase occurs after ovulation (days 15–28) and is
characterized by progesterone secretion from the corpus luteum. Progesterone prepares the
endometrium for implantation. The proliferative phase (option A) occurs before ovulation and is
estrogen-dominant. The menstrual phase (option C) involves shedding of the endometrium. The
follicular phase (option D) is the first half of the cycle.
---
**Question 6**
A client is receiving education about the changes that occur during menopause. The nurse
explains that menopause is defined as:
A. The cessation of menstruation for 6 consecutive months
B. The cessation of menstruation for 12 consecutive months
C. The period of time when menstrual cycles become irregular
D. The complete removal of the uterus and ovaries
**Correct Answer: B**
NSG 3500 EXAMS 1–4 – NURSING PRACTICE:
MATERNAL HEALTH
GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING | 2026–2027
ACADEMIC YEAR
COMPLETE PRACTICE QUESTION BANK
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & RATIONALES
itsjereguides
# EXAM 1 – FOUNDATIONS OF MATERNAL HEALTH & ANTEPARTUM CARE
## Unit 1: Reproductive Anatomy & Physiology
**Question 1**
A nursing student is reviewing the menstrual cycle. Which statement correctly describes the role
of estrogen during the proliferative phase?
A. Estrogen promotes the shedding of the endometrial lining
B. Estrogen stimulates the growth of the endometrial lining and proliferation of blood vessels
C. Estrogen maintains the endometrial lining in preparation for implantation
D. Estrogen triggers the release of follicle-stimulating hormone from the pituitary gland
**Correct Answer: B**
,Page 2 of 274
**Rationale:** During the proliferative phase (days 5–14 of the menstrual cycle), estrogen
secreted by developing ovarian follicles stimulates the regrowth and thickening of the
endometrial lining. Estrogen also promotes the proliferation of blood vessels within the
endometrium. Option A describes the menstrual phase; option C describes the role of
progesterone during the secretory phase; option D is incorrect because FSH is released from the
anterior pituitary and stimulates estrogen production, not the reverse.
---
**Question 2**
A client asks the nurse about the function of the fallopian tubes. Which response by the nurse is
most accurate?
A. "The fallopian tubes are where fertilization of the ovum by sperm typically occurs"
B. "The fallopian tubes produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone"
C. "The fallopian tubes are the site where the fetus develops during pregnancy"
D. "The fallopian tubes store mature ova until ovulation occurs"
**Correct Answer: A**
**Rationale:** Fertilization typically occurs in the ampulla (outer third) of the fallopian tube.
The ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone (option B), the uterus is the site of fetal
development (option C), and the ovaries store ova (option D).
---
**Question 3**
A nurse is teaching a group of adolescents about male reproductive anatomy. Which structure is
responsible for the production of sperm?
,Page 3 of 274
A. Epididymis
B. Vas deferens
C. Seminiferous tubules
D. Prostate gland
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The seminiferous tubules within the testes are the specific site of
spermatogenesis (sperm production). The epididymis stores and matures sperm (option A), the
vas deferens transports sperm (option B), and the prostate gland produces seminal fluid (option
D).
---
**Question 4**
A client asks the nurse what causes the release of the mature ovum during ovulation. The nurse
correctly responds that ovulation is triggered by:
A. A surge in luteinizing hormone (LH)
B. A decrease in progesterone levels
C. An increase in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
D. The release of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
**Correct Answer: A**
**Rationale:** Ovulation is triggered by a mid-cycle surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) from the
anterior pituitary gland. This LH surge causes the mature follicle to release the ovum. FSH
stimulates follicle growth earlier in the cycle (option C). Progesterone decreases after ovulation
if fertilization does not occur (option B). hCG is produced by the developing embryo after
implantation (option D).
, Page 4 of 274
**Question 5**
A nurse is explaining the phases of the menstrual cycle to a client. Which phase occurs after
ovulation and is characterized by the secretion of progesterone?
A. Proliferative phase
B. Secretory phase
C. Menstrual phase
D. Follicular phase
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The secretory (luteal) phase occurs after ovulation (days 15–28) and is
characterized by progesterone secretion from the corpus luteum. Progesterone prepares the
endometrium for implantation. The proliferative phase (option A) occurs before ovulation and is
estrogen-dominant. The menstrual phase (option C) involves shedding of the endometrium. The
follicular phase (option D) is the first half of the cycle.
---
**Question 6**
A client is receiving education about the changes that occur during menopause. The nurse
explains that menopause is defined as:
A. The cessation of menstruation for 6 consecutive months
B. The cessation of menstruation for 12 consecutive months
C. The period of time when menstrual cycles become irregular
D. The complete removal of the uterus and ovaries
**Correct Answer: B**
