Page 1 of 75
DAVIS ADVANTAGE FOR MATERNAL-NEWBORN
NURSING EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Davis Advantage for Maternal-Newborn Nursing Exam: 250 Practice Questions with
Rationales
DOMAIN 1: REPRODUCTIVE ANATOMY AND FERTILIZATION (25 Questions)
1. A nursing student is reviewing the menstrual cycle. Which hormone is primarily
responsible for the proliferation of the endometrial lining during the follicular phase?
A) Progesterone
B) Luteinizing hormone (LH)
C) Estrogen
D) Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Answer: C) Estrogen
Rationale: Estrogen, secreted by the developing ovarian follicles, stimulates the growth and
thickening of the endometrial lining during the follicular (proliferative) phase. Progesterone
stabilizes the lining during the secretory phase .
2. A client asks the nurse about the function of the fallopian tubes. What is the most
accurate description?
A) The organ where implantation occurs
B) The structure where fertilization typically occurs
C) The gland that secretes mucus to lubricate the vagina
D) The structure that produces ova
Answer: B) The structure where fertilization typically occurs
, Page 2 of 75
Rationale: The ampulla (outer third) of the fallopian tube is the usual site for fertilization.
The tube also transports the ovum to the uterus via ciliary action and peristalsis .
3. The structure that is homologous to the male penis is the:
A) Labia majora
B) Clitoris
C) Labia minora
D) Vestibule
Answer: B) Clitoris
Rationale: The clitoris and the penis develop from the same embryonic tissue (genital
tubercle) and share similar erectile tissue and nerve endings .
4. Which hormone is responsible for maintaining the endometrial lining during the first
trimester of pregnancy until the placenta takes over?
A) Estrogen
B) Progesterone
C) Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
D) Human placental lactogen (hPL)
Answer: B) Progesterone
Rationale: The corpus luteum secretes progesterone and estrogen to maintain the decidua
and support the early pregnancy until the placenta is mature enough at about 8-10 weeks
gestation .
5. When does ovulation typically occur in a 28-day menstrual cycle?
A) Day 1
B) Day 7
C) Day 14
D) Day 28
Answer: C) Day 14
Rationale: Ovulation typically occurs approximately 14 days before the start of the next
menstrual period. In a 28-day cycle, this is approximately day 14 .
6. A client asks the nurse about the function of the seminal vesicles. What do these
glands contribute to semen?
, Page 3 of 75
A) Sperm motility factors only
B) Fructose for energy and prostaglandins
C) Lubrication only
D) Testosterone
Answer: B) Fructose for energy and prostaglandins
Rationale: Seminal vesicles produce a viscous, alkaline fluid containing fructose (to nourish
sperm), prostaglandins (to aid sperm motility and survival), and clotting factors .
7. The nurse is teaching a patient about the amniotic fluid. Which statement about
amniotic fluid is correct?
A) It provides oxygen to the fetus
B) It cushions the fetus and maintains constant temperature
C) It provides all nutrition for the fetus
D) It removes waste products
Answer: B) It cushions the fetus and maintains constant temperature
Rationale: Amniotic fluid cushions the fetus, maintains constant temperature, allows fetal
movement, and prevents umbilical cord compression .
8. In fetal circulation, which structure allows highly oxygenated blood to bypass the
fetal liver?
A) Foramen ovale
B) Ductus venosus
C) Ductus arteriosus
D) Umbilical arteries
Answer: B) Ductus venosus
Rationale: The ductus venosus connects the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava, allowing
highly oxygenated blood to bypass the fetal liver .
9. The structure responsible for shunting blood from the pulmonary artery to the
descending aorta is the:
A) Ductus venosus
B) Foramen ovale
C) Ductus arteriosus
D) Umbilical vein
, Page 4 of 75
Answer: C) Ductus arteriosus
Rationale: The ductus arteriosus connects the pulmonary artery to the descending aorta,
allowing blood to bypass the non-functioning fetal lungs .
10. What is the normal site of fertilization in the female reproductive tract?
A) Fundus of the uterus
B) Ampulla of the fallopian tube
C) Isthmus of the fallopian tube
D) Endocervical canal
Answer: B) Ampulla of the fallopian tube
Rationale: The ampulla (outer third) of the fallopian tube is the usual site for fertilization .
11. The foramen ovale in the fetal heart allows blood to:
A) Flow from the right atrium to the left atrium
B) Flow from the left atrium to the right atrium
C) Bypass the non-functioning fetal lungs
D) Both A and C
Answer: D) Both A and C
Rationale: The foramen ovale is an opening between the right and left atria that allows
oxygenated blood to bypass the non-functioning fetal lungs .
12. The period of greatest teratogenic risk is:
A) 0-2 weeks
B) 3-8 weeks
C) 9-12 weeks
D) 13-20 weeks
Answer: B) 3-8 weeks
Rationale: The embryonic period (weeks 3-8) is when major organ systems are forming,
making it the period of greatest teratogenic susceptibility .
13. The umbilical vein carries:
A) Deoxygenated blood from the fetus to the placenta
B) Oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus
DAVIS ADVANTAGE FOR MATERNAL-NEWBORN
NURSING EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Davis Advantage for Maternal-Newborn Nursing Exam: 250 Practice Questions with
Rationales
DOMAIN 1: REPRODUCTIVE ANATOMY AND FERTILIZATION (25 Questions)
1. A nursing student is reviewing the menstrual cycle. Which hormone is primarily
responsible for the proliferation of the endometrial lining during the follicular phase?
A) Progesterone
B) Luteinizing hormone (LH)
C) Estrogen
D) Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Answer: C) Estrogen
Rationale: Estrogen, secreted by the developing ovarian follicles, stimulates the growth and
thickening of the endometrial lining during the follicular (proliferative) phase. Progesterone
stabilizes the lining during the secretory phase .
2. A client asks the nurse about the function of the fallopian tubes. What is the most
accurate description?
A) The organ where implantation occurs
B) The structure where fertilization typically occurs
C) The gland that secretes mucus to lubricate the vagina
D) The structure that produces ova
Answer: B) The structure where fertilization typically occurs
, Page 2 of 75
Rationale: The ampulla (outer third) of the fallopian tube is the usual site for fertilization.
The tube also transports the ovum to the uterus via ciliary action and peristalsis .
3. The structure that is homologous to the male penis is the:
A) Labia majora
B) Clitoris
C) Labia minora
D) Vestibule
Answer: B) Clitoris
Rationale: The clitoris and the penis develop from the same embryonic tissue (genital
tubercle) and share similar erectile tissue and nerve endings .
4. Which hormone is responsible for maintaining the endometrial lining during the first
trimester of pregnancy until the placenta takes over?
A) Estrogen
B) Progesterone
C) Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
D) Human placental lactogen (hPL)
Answer: B) Progesterone
Rationale: The corpus luteum secretes progesterone and estrogen to maintain the decidua
and support the early pregnancy until the placenta is mature enough at about 8-10 weeks
gestation .
5. When does ovulation typically occur in a 28-day menstrual cycle?
A) Day 1
B) Day 7
C) Day 14
D) Day 28
Answer: C) Day 14
Rationale: Ovulation typically occurs approximately 14 days before the start of the next
menstrual period. In a 28-day cycle, this is approximately day 14 .
6. A client asks the nurse about the function of the seminal vesicles. What do these
glands contribute to semen?
, Page 3 of 75
A) Sperm motility factors only
B) Fructose for energy and prostaglandins
C) Lubrication only
D) Testosterone
Answer: B) Fructose for energy and prostaglandins
Rationale: Seminal vesicles produce a viscous, alkaline fluid containing fructose (to nourish
sperm), prostaglandins (to aid sperm motility and survival), and clotting factors .
7. The nurse is teaching a patient about the amniotic fluid. Which statement about
amniotic fluid is correct?
A) It provides oxygen to the fetus
B) It cushions the fetus and maintains constant temperature
C) It provides all nutrition for the fetus
D) It removes waste products
Answer: B) It cushions the fetus and maintains constant temperature
Rationale: Amniotic fluid cushions the fetus, maintains constant temperature, allows fetal
movement, and prevents umbilical cord compression .
8. In fetal circulation, which structure allows highly oxygenated blood to bypass the
fetal liver?
A) Foramen ovale
B) Ductus venosus
C) Ductus arteriosus
D) Umbilical arteries
Answer: B) Ductus venosus
Rationale: The ductus venosus connects the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava, allowing
highly oxygenated blood to bypass the fetal liver .
9. The structure responsible for shunting blood from the pulmonary artery to the
descending aorta is the:
A) Ductus venosus
B) Foramen ovale
C) Ductus arteriosus
D) Umbilical vein
, Page 4 of 75
Answer: C) Ductus arteriosus
Rationale: The ductus arteriosus connects the pulmonary artery to the descending aorta,
allowing blood to bypass the non-functioning fetal lungs .
10. What is the normal site of fertilization in the female reproductive tract?
A) Fundus of the uterus
B) Ampulla of the fallopian tube
C) Isthmus of the fallopian tube
D) Endocervical canal
Answer: B) Ampulla of the fallopian tube
Rationale: The ampulla (outer third) of the fallopian tube is the usual site for fertilization .
11. The foramen ovale in the fetal heart allows blood to:
A) Flow from the right atrium to the left atrium
B) Flow from the left atrium to the right atrium
C) Bypass the non-functioning fetal lungs
D) Both A and C
Answer: D) Both A and C
Rationale: The foramen ovale is an opening between the right and left atria that allows
oxygenated blood to bypass the non-functioning fetal lungs .
12. The period of greatest teratogenic risk is:
A) 0-2 weeks
B) 3-8 weeks
C) 9-12 weeks
D) 13-20 weeks
Answer: B) 3-8 weeks
Rationale: The embryonic period (weeks 3-8) is when major organ systems are forming,
making it the period of greatest teratogenic susceptibility .
13. The umbilical vein carries:
A) Deoxygenated blood from the fetus to the placenta
B) Oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus
