Page 1 of 75
NSG 3500 MATERNITY — EXAM 1 2026/2027 COMPLETE
(150) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
MATERNITY
Prepare effectively for the NSG 3500 (Galen) Maternity Exam 1 with this focused study
resource. It supports review of antepartum care, pregnancy and fetal development,
labor and delivery, maternal assessment, newborn care, and common maternity
complications. Use the material to reinforce your knowledge, review high-yield topics,
and identify areas that may require additional study. This resource is suited for Galen
nursing students, maternity nursing learners, and candidates preparing for the NSG
3500 Maternity Exam 1.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
(Questions 1–20)
1. The nurse is teaching a class about the female reproductive system.
Which hormone is responsible for the development of the follicle and the
maturation of the oocyte during the follicular phase of the menstrual
cycle?
A. Progesterone
B. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
C. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
D. Estrogen
Answer: C. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Rationale: FSH is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland and stimulates
the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles during the follicular phase
of the menstrual cycle. Estrogen is produced by the developing follicles.
LH triggers ovulation. Progesterone is secreted by the corpus luteum
during the luteal phase.
, Page 2 of 75
2. The nurse is explaining the menstrual cycle to a patient. Which phase
occurs immediately after ovulation?
A. Follicular phase
B. Luteal phase
C. Menstrual phase
D. Proliferative phase
Answer: B. Luteal phase
Rationale: The luteal phase occurs after ovulation and lasts
approximately 14 days. During this phase, the corpus luteum secretes
progesterone and estrogen to prepare the endometrium for implantation.
If fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum degenerates, hormone
levels drop, and menstruation begins.
3. A patient asks the nurse about the function of the fallopian tubes.
Which of the following is the primary function of the fallopian tubes?
A. Production of estrogen
B. Transport of the ovum from the ovary to the uterus
C. Implantation of the fertilized ovum
D. Secretion of progesterone
Answer: B. Transport of the ovum from the ovary to the uterus
Rationale: The fallopian tubes (uterine tubes) transport the ovum from the
ovary to the uterus. Fertilization typically occurs in the ampulla (outer
third) of the fallopian tube. The uterus is the site of implantation; the
ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone.
4. The nurse is teaching a prenatal class about the menstrual cycle.
Which statement by a participant indicates correct understanding?
, Page 3 of 75
A. "Ovulation occurs on day 28 of a 28-day cycle."
B. "Ovulation typically occurs 14 days before the next menstrual period."
C. "The menstrual phase is when the endometrium thickens."
D. "FSH is highest during the luteal phase."
Answer: B. "Ovulation typically occurs 14 days before the next menstrual
period."
Rationale: Ovulation occurs approximately 14 days before the onset of the
next menstrual period, regardless of cycle length. In a 28-day cycle,
ovulation occurs around day 14. The menstrual phase is when the
endometrium is shed; the proliferative phase is when the endometrium
thickens.
5. The hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced by
which structure?
A. Corpus luteum
B. Anterior pituitary
C. Trophoblast cells of the developing embryo
D. Hypothalamus
Answer: C. Trophoblast cells of the developing embryo
Rationale: hCG is produced by the trophoblast cells of the developing
embryo (and later by the placenta). It is the hormone detected by
pregnancy tests. hCG maintains the corpus luteum during early
pregnancy, ensuring continued production of progesterone and estrogen
until the placenta takes over this function.
6. A nurse is reviewing the functions of estrogen and progesterone in
pregnancy. Which statement accurately describes the role of
progesterone?
A. Maintains the endometrium and reduces uterine contractility
, Page 4 of 75
B. Stimulates the growth of breast ductal tissue
C. Causes the cervix to soften and dilate
D. Increases uterine sensitivity to oxytocin
Answer: A. Maintains the endometrium and reduces uterine contractility
Rationale: Progesterone maintains the endometrium (decidua) and
reduces uterine contractility, helping to maintain pregnancy. It also
relaxes smooth muscle throughout the body, contributing to GI and
urinary changes. Estrogen stimulates breast ductal tissue growth and
uterine blood flow.
7. A patient asks the nurse when the ovum is most fertile. The nurse
should explain that the ovum is capable of being fertilized for
approximately:
A. 6–12 hours
B. 12–24 hours
C. 24–48 hours
D. 48–72 hours
Answer: B. 12–24 hours
Rationale: The ovum is capable of being fertilized for approximately 12–24
hours after ovulation. Sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract
for up to 5 days. Therefore, the fertile window includes the 5 days before
ovulation and the day of ovulation.
8. The nurse is assessing a patient's menstrual history. Which of the
following describes the average length of a normal menstrual cycle?
A. 21 days
B. 28 days
C. 35 days
NSG 3500 MATERNITY — EXAM 1 2026/2027 COMPLETE
(150) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
MATERNITY
Prepare effectively for the NSG 3500 (Galen) Maternity Exam 1 with this focused study
resource. It supports review of antepartum care, pregnancy and fetal development,
labor and delivery, maternal assessment, newborn care, and common maternity
complications. Use the material to reinforce your knowledge, review high-yield topics,
and identify areas that may require additional study. This resource is suited for Galen
nursing students, maternity nursing learners, and candidates preparing for the NSG
3500 Maternity Exam 1.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
(Questions 1–20)
1. The nurse is teaching a class about the female reproductive system.
Which hormone is responsible for the development of the follicle and the
maturation of the oocyte during the follicular phase of the menstrual
cycle?
A. Progesterone
B. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
C. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
D. Estrogen
Answer: C. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Rationale: FSH is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland and stimulates
the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles during the follicular phase
of the menstrual cycle. Estrogen is produced by the developing follicles.
LH triggers ovulation. Progesterone is secreted by the corpus luteum
during the luteal phase.
, Page 2 of 75
2. The nurse is explaining the menstrual cycle to a patient. Which phase
occurs immediately after ovulation?
A. Follicular phase
B. Luteal phase
C. Menstrual phase
D. Proliferative phase
Answer: B. Luteal phase
Rationale: The luteal phase occurs after ovulation and lasts
approximately 14 days. During this phase, the corpus luteum secretes
progesterone and estrogen to prepare the endometrium for implantation.
If fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum degenerates, hormone
levels drop, and menstruation begins.
3. A patient asks the nurse about the function of the fallopian tubes.
Which of the following is the primary function of the fallopian tubes?
A. Production of estrogen
B. Transport of the ovum from the ovary to the uterus
C. Implantation of the fertilized ovum
D. Secretion of progesterone
Answer: B. Transport of the ovum from the ovary to the uterus
Rationale: The fallopian tubes (uterine tubes) transport the ovum from the
ovary to the uterus. Fertilization typically occurs in the ampulla (outer
third) of the fallopian tube. The uterus is the site of implantation; the
ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone.
4. The nurse is teaching a prenatal class about the menstrual cycle.
Which statement by a participant indicates correct understanding?
, Page 3 of 75
A. "Ovulation occurs on day 28 of a 28-day cycle."
B. "Ovulation typically occurs 14 days before the next menstrual period."
C. "The menstrual phase is when the endometrium thickens."
D. "FSH is highest during the luteal phase."
Answer: B. "Ovulation typically occurs 14 days before the next menstrual
period."
Rationale: Ovulation occurs approximately 14 days before the onset of the
next menstrual period, regardless of cycle length. In a 28-day cycle,
ovulation occurs around day 14. The menstrual phase is when the
endometrium is shed; the proliferative phase is when the endometrium
thickens.
5. The hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced by
which structure?
A. Corpus luteum
B. Anterior pituitary
C. Trophoblast cells of the developing embryo
D. Hypothalamus
Answer: C. Trophoblast cells of the developing embryo
Rationale: hCG is produced by the trophoblast cells of the developing
embryo (and later by the placenta). It is the hormone detected by
pregnancy tests. hCG maintains the corpus luteum during early
pregnancy, ensuring continued production of progesterone and estrogen
until the placenta takes over this function.
6. A nurse is reviewing the functions of estrogen and progesterone in
pregnancy. Which statement accurately describes the role of
progesterone?
A. Maintains the endometrium and reduces uterine contractility
, Page 4 of 75
B. Stimulates the growth of breast ductal tissue
C. Causes the cervix to soften and dilate
D. Increases uterine sensitivity to oxytocin
Answer: A. Maintains the endometrium and reduces uterine contractility
Rationale: Progesterone maintains the endometrium (decidua) and
reduces uterine contractility, helping to maintain pregnancy. It also
relaxes smooth muscle throughout the body, contributing to GI and
urinary changes. Estrogen stimulates breast ductal tissue growth and
uterine blood flow.
7. A patient asks the nurse when the ovum is most fertile. The nurse
should explain that the ovum is capable of being fertilized for
approximately:
A. 6–12 hours
B. 12–24 hours
C. 24–48 hours
D. 48–72 hours
Answer: B. 12–24 hours
Rationale: The ovum is capable of being fertilized for approximately 12–24
hours after ovulation. Sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract
for up to 5 days. Therefore, the fertile window includes the 5 days before
ovulation and the day of ovulation.
8. The nurse is assessing a patient's menstrual history. Which of the
following describes the average length of a normal menstrual cycle?
A. 21 days
B. 28 days
C. 35 days
