NURS 3100 EXAM REVIEWED 2026 GENITOURINARY ASSESSMENT
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES |COMPREHENSIVE
REVIEW OF GENITOURINARY ASSESSMENT FOR NURS 3100
[COVERS FEMALE AND MALE REPRODUCTIVE FINDINGS, STIs, CANCERS,
URINARY INCONTINENCE, RISK FACTORS, AND NURSING INTERVENTIONS]
EXPERT VERIFIED FOR 2026 EXAM PREP
SECTION 1: ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE GENITOURINARY SYSTEM
(Q1-Q40)
Q1. The functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood and forming
urine is the:
A) Nephron
B) Glomerulus
C) Renal pelvis
D) Collecting duct
Ans: A
Rationale: The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney. Each kidney contains
approximately 1 million nephrons. The nephron consists of the glomerulus (where
filtration occurs), Bowman's capsule, proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle,
distal convoluted tubule, and collecting duct. The glomerulus is the filtering
component, but the entire nephron is responsible for urine formation.
Q2. The glomerulus is composed of a network of capillaries that filter blood. The
filtrate that enters Bowman's capsule is called:
A) Urine
B) Plasma
C) Glomerular filtrate
D) Lymph
Ans: C
Rationale: The glomerular filtrate is the fluid that passes from the blood through
the glomerular filtration membrane into Bowman's capsule. This filtrate contains
water, electrolytes, glucose, amino acids, and waste products (urea, creatinine,
uric acid). It is essentially plasma minus proteins and blood cells.
Q3. Which structure connects the kidney to the bladder?
A) Urethra
B) Ureter
1
,C) Renal pelvis
D) Collecting duct
Ans: B
Rationale: The ureter is a muscular tube that connects each kidney to the urinary
bladder. It is approximately 25-30 cm long. The ureter transports urine from the
renal pelvis of the kidney to the bladder through peristaltic contractions. The
urethra carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
Q4. The average capacity of the adult urinary bladder is approximately:
A) 100-200 mL
B) 300-500 mL
C) 700-900 mL
D) 1000-1500 mL
Ans: B
Rationale: The average adult urinary bladder can hold approximately 300-500 mL
of urine comfortably. The first urge to void is typically felt at 150-200 mL, and a
strong urge is felt at 400-500 mL. The bladder can stretch to hold up to 1000 mL,
but this causes significant discomfort and may lead to urinary retention.
Q5. The internal urethral sphincter is under:
A) Voluntary control
B) Involuntary (autonomic) control
C) Somatic control
D) Conscious control
Ans: B
Rationale: The internal urethral sphincter is composed of smooth muscle and is
under involuntary (autonomic) control via the sympathetic and parasympathetic
nervous systems. The external urethral sphincter is composed of skeletal muscle
and is under voluntary control.
Q6. The male urethra is approximately how long?
A) 4-5 cm
B) 8-10 cm
C) 18-20 cm
D) 25-30 cm
Ans: C
2
,Rationale: The male urethra is approximately 18-20 cm (about 8 inches) in length.
It has three sections: prostatic, membranous, and spongy (penile) urethra. The
longer length in males contributes to a higher risk of urinary retention and makes
catheterization more challenging than in females.
Q7. The female urethra is approximately how long?
A) 2-3 cm
B) 4-5 cm
C) 8-10 cm
D) 12-15 cm
Ans: B
Rationale: The female urethra is approximately 4-5 cm (about 1.5-2 inches) in
length. Its shorter length makes women more susceptible to urinary tract
infections (UTIs) because bacteria from the perineal area have a shorter distance
to travel to the bladder.
Q8. Which of the following hormones regulates water reabsorption in the
kidneys?
A) Aldosterone
B) Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
C) Renin
D) Angiotensin II
Ans: B
Rationale: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also called vasopressin, is produced by
the hypothalamus and released from the posterior pituitary gland. ADH promotes
water reabsorption in the collecting ducts of the kidneys by inserting aquaporin
channels into the cell membranes. Aldosterone regulates sodium and potassium
balance, not primarily water.
Q9. The micturition reflex is initiated when the bladder volume reaches
approximately:
A) 50-100 mL
B) 150-200 mL
C) 300-400 mL
D) 500-600 mL
Ans: B
3
, Rationale: The micturition (voiding) reflex is initiated when the bladder volume
reaches approximately 150-200 mL. Stretch receptors in the bladder wall send
signals to the sacral spinal cord (S2-S4), triggering parasympathetic stimulation
that causes the detrusor muscle to contract and the internal sphincter to relax.
Q10. The external urethral sphincter is under control of which nerve?
A) Pudendal nerve
B) Pelvic splanchnic nerve
C) Hypogastric nerve
D) Vagus nerve
Ans: A
Rationale: The external urethral sphincter is under voluntary control via the
pudendal nerve (S2-S4). This allows conscious control over urination. Damage to
the pudendal nerve or spinal cord injury above S2 can result in loss of voluntary
control and incontinence.
Q11. The normal daily urine output for an adult is:
A) 400-600 mL
B) 800-1200 mL
C) 1000-2000 mL
D) 2000-3000 mL
Ans: C
Rationale: Normal urine output for an adult is 1000-2000 mL per 24 hours, with
an average of about 1500 mL. This is influenced by fluid intake, diet, medications,
and health status. Minimal urine output needed to excrete metabolic wastes is
about 400-500 mL per day (obligatory urine output).
Q12. Oliguria is defined as urine output of less than:
A) 100 mL/day
B) 400 mL/day
C) 800 mL/day
D) 1000 mL/day
Ans: B
Rationale: Oliguria is defined as urine output of less than 400 mL in 24 hours. This
is less than the minimum volume needed to excrete metabolic waste products.
Anuria is defined as urine output of less than 100 mL in 24 hours. Polyuria is
defined as urine output greater than 2500 mL in 24 hours.
4
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES |COMPREHENSIVE
REVIEW OF GENITOURINARY ASSESSMENT FOR NURS 3100
[COVERS FEMALE AND MALE REPRODUCTIVE FINDINGS, STIs, CANCERS,
URINARY INCONTINENCE, RISK FACTORS, AND NURSING INTERVENTIONS]
EXPERT VERIFIED FOR 2026 EXAM PREP
SECTION 1: ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE GENITOURINARY SYSTEM
(Q1-Q40)
Q1. The functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood and forming
urine is the:
A) Nephron
B) Glomerulus
C) Renal pelvis
D) Collecting duct
Ans: A
Rationale: The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney. Each kidney contains
approximately 1 million nephrons. The nephron consists of the glomerulus (where
filtration occurs), Bowman's capsule, proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle,
distal convoluted tubule, and collecting duct. The glomerulus is the filtering
component, but the entire nephron is responsible for urine formation.
Q2. The glomerulus is composed of a network of capillaries that filter blood. The
filtrate that enters Bowman's capsule is called:
A) Urine
B) Plasma
C) Glomerular filtrate
D) Lymph
Ans: C
Rationale: The glomerular filtrate is the fluid that passes from the blood through
the glomerular filtration membrane into Bowman's capsule. This filtrate contains
water, electrolytes, glucose, amino acids, and waste products (urea, creatinine,
uric acid). It is essentially plasma minus proteins and blood cells.
Q3. Which structure connects the kidney to the bladder?
A) Urethra
B) Ureter
1
,C) Renal pelvis
D) Collecting duct
Ans: B
Rationale: The ureter is a muscular tube that connects each kidney to the urinary
bladder. It is approximately 25-30 cm long. The ureter transports urine from the
renal pelvis of the kidney to the bladder through peristaltic contractions. The
urethra carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
Q4. The average capacity of the adult urinary bladder is approximately:
A) 100-200 mL
B) 300-500 mL
C) 700-900 mL
D) 1000-1500 mL
Ans: B
Rationale: The average adult urinary bladder can hold approximately 300-500 mL
of urine comfortably. The first urge to void is typically felt at 150-200 mL, and a
strong urge is felt at 400-500 mL. The bladder can stretch to hold up to 1000 mL,
but this causes significant discomfort and may lead to urinary retention.
Q5. The internal urethral sphincter is under:
A) Voluntary control
B) Involuntary (autonomic) control
C) Somatic control
D) Conscious control
Ans: B
Rationale: The internal urethral sphincter is composed of smooth muscle and is
under involuntary (autonomic) control via the sympathetic and parasympathetic
nervous systems. The external urethral sphincter is composed of skeletal muscle
and is under voluntary control.
Q6. The male urethra is approximately how long?
A) 4-5 cm
B) 8-10 cm
C) 18-20 cm
D) 25-30 cm
Ans: C
2
,Rationale: The male urethra is approximately 18-20 cm (about 8 inches) in length.
It has three sections: prostatic, membranous, and spongy (penile) urethra. The
longer length in males contributes to a higher risk of urinary retention and makes
catheterization more challenging than in females.
Q7. The female urethra is approximately how long?
A) 2-3 cm
B) 4-5 cm
C) 8-10 cm
D) 12-15 cm
Ans: B
Rationale: The female urethra is approximately 4-5 cm (about 1.5-2 inches) in
length. Its shorter length makes women more susceptible to urinary tract
infections (UTIs) because bacteria from the perineal area have a shorter distance
to travel to the bladder.
Q8. Which of the following hormones regulates water reabsorption in the
kidneys?
A) Aldosterone
B) Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
C) Renin
D) Angiotensin II
Ans: B
Rationale: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also called vasopressin, is produced by
the hypothalamus and released from the posterior pituitary gland. ADH promotes
water reabsorption in the collecting ducts of the kidneys by inserting aquaporin
channels into the cell membranes. Aldosterone regulates sodium and potassium
balance, not primarily water.
Q9. The micturition reflex is initiated when the bladder volume reaches
approximately:
A) 50-100 mL
B) 150-200 mL
C) 300-400 mL
D) 500-600 mL
Ans: B
3
, Rationale: The micturition (voiding) reflex is initiated when the bladder volume
reaches approximately 150-200 mL. Stretch receptors in the bladder wall send
signals to the sacral spinal cord (S2-S4), triggering parasympathetic stimulation
that causes the detrusor muscle to contract and the internal sphincter to relax.
Q10. The external urethral sphincter is under control of which nerve?
A) Pudendal nerve
B) Pelvic splanchnic nerve
C) Hypogastric nerve
D) Vagus nerve
Ans: A
Rationale: The external urethral sphincter is under voluntary control via the
pudendal nerve (S2-S4). This allows conscious control over urination. Damage to
the pudendal nerve or spinal cord injury above S2 can result in loss of voluntary
control and incontinence.
Q11. The normal daily urine output for an adult is:
A) 400-600 mL
B) 800-1200 mL
C) 1000-2000 mL
D) 2000-3000 mL
Ans: C
Rationale: Normal urine output for an adult is 1000-2000 mL per 24 hours, with
an average of about 1500 mL. This is influenced by fluid intake, diet, medications,
and health status. Minimal urine output needed to excrete metabolic wastes is
about 400-500 mL per day (obligatory urine output).
Q12. Oliguria is defined as urine output of less than:
A) 100 mL/day
B) 400 mL/day
C) 800 mL/day
D) 1000 mL/day
Ans: B
Rationale: Oliguria is defined as urine output of less than 400 mL in 24 hours. This
is less than the minimum volume needed to excrete metabolic waste products.
Anuria is defined as urine output of less than 100 mL in 24 hours. Polyuria is
defined as urine output greater than 2500 mL in 24 hours.
4
