Galen NSG 3500 Exam 1 | Nursing Research & EBP (2026) Actual
Q&A PDF
1. A nurse is preparing a community education session on women's health. Which statement
accurately describes the primary function of estrogen in the female reproductive system?
A) It maintains the corpus luteum during early pregnancy.
B) It stimulates the development of female secondary sex characteristics.
C) It is the primary hormone responsible for lactation.
D) It causes the endometrial lining to shed during menstruation.
Correct Answer: It stimulates the development of female secondary sex characteristics.
Rationale: Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone responsible for the development of
secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development, pubic hair, and the widening of
the pelvis. It also plays a key role in the menstrual cycle by promoting the proliferation of the
endometrial lining. Progesterone maintains the corpus luteum and supports early pregnancy,
prolactin is responsible for lactation, and the shedding of the endometrium occurs when
estrogen and progesterone levels drop.
2. The nurse is assessing a patient's understanding of the menstrual cycle. Which statement by
the patient indicates a correct understanding of the proliferative phase?
A) "This phase is dominated by progesterone from the corpus luteum."
B) "The endometrial lining thickens under the influence of estrogen."
C) "This phase begins immediately after ovulation."
D) "Menstrual bleeding occurs during this phase."
Correct Answer: "The endometrial lining thickens under the influence of estrogen."
,Rationale: The proliferative (follicular) phase is characterized by rising estrogen levels from the
developing ovarian follicles, which causes the endometrial lining to regenerate and thicken in
preparation for potential implantation. Progesterone dominates the secretory phase after
ovulation, and menstrual bleeding occurs during the menstrual phase when hormone levels
drop.
3. A patient asks the nurse when the best time is to conceive during the menstrual cycle. What
is the nurse's best response?
A) "12 to 24 hours before ovulation."
B) "12 to 24 hours after ovulation."
C) "Immediately after menstruation ends."
D) "In the 12 to 24 hours following ovulation."
Correct Answer: "In the 12 to 24 hours following ovulation."
Rationale: An ovum is viable for fertilization for approximately 12 to 24 hours after ovulation.
Sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract for up to 5 days, so intercourse just before
and during ovulation maximizes the chances of pregnancy. The key is to have sperm present
when the ovum is released.
4. A nurse is caring for a postpartum patient who asks about the return of menstruation while
breastfeeding. Which response is most accurate?
A) "You can expect your period to return within 4-6 weeks regardless of breastfeeding."
B) "Breastfeeding typically delays the return of menstruation due to elevated prolactin levels."
C) "Your period will not return until you stop breastfeeding completely."
D) "The return of menstruation is unrelated to breastfeeding."
Correct Answer: "Breastfeeding typically delays the return of menstruation due to elevated
prolactin levels."
,Rationale: Prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production, suppresses gonadotropin-
releasing hormone (GnRH), which in turn inhibits ovulation. This is why many breastfeeding
mothers experience a delay in the return of menstruation. However, breastfeeding is not a
reliable form of contraception, as ovulation can occur before the first postpartum period.
5. A nurse is preparing a patient for a pelvic examination. The nurse identifies the structure that
serves as the passageway for sperm and the birth canal as the:
A) Cervix
B) Uterus
C) Fallopian tube
D) Vagina
Correct Answer: Vagina
Rationale: The vagina is the muscular canal that serves as the passageway for sperm during
intercourse, the birth canal during delivery, and the outlet for menstrual flow. The cervix is the
lower portion of the uterus, the uterus houses the developing fetus, and the fallopian tubes are
the site of fertilization.
6. A patient is diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection affecting the fallopian tubes,
increasing her risk for ectopic pregnancy. Which structure's patency is most directly affected by
this infection?
A) Vagina
B) Cervix
C) Ovaries
D) Fallopian tubes
Correct Answer: Fallopian tubes
, Rationale: The fallopian tubes are the structures where fertilization typically occurs. Infections
that cause scarring or adhesions in the fallopian tubes can impair the transport of the fertilized
ovum to the uterus, leading to an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. The question explicitly
states the infection is affecting the fallopian tubes.
7. The nurse is assessing a patient's obstetric history using the GTPAL system. The patient is
currently pregnant, has had two full-term deliveries, one preterm delivery, two abortions, and
has four living children. What is the correct GTPAL?
A) G4 T2 P1 A2 L4
B) G5 T2 P1 A2 L4
C) G5 T2 P2 A2 L4
D) G4 T2 P2 A2 L4
Correct Answer: G5 T2 P1 A2 L4
Rationale: GTPAL stands for: G (Gravida) - total number of pregnancies, including current; T
(Term) - number of pregnancies carried to term (37 weeks or more); P (Preterm) - number of
pregnancies delivered preterm (20-36 weeks); A (Abortions) - number of pregnancies ending
before 20 weeks (spontaneous or therapeutic); L (Living) - number of currently living children.
The patient is currently pregnant (G=5), has had 2 term births (T=2), 1 preterm birth (P=1), 2
abortions (A=2), and 4 living children (L=4).
8. A patient at 16 weeks gestation reports feeling the first fluttering movements of the fetus.
The nurse documents this finding as:
A) Lightening
B) Ballottement
C) Quickening
D) Braxton Hicks contractions
Q&A PDF
1. A nurse is preparing a community education session on women's health. Which statement
accurately describes the primary function of estrogen in the female reproductive system?
A) It maintains the corpus luteum during early pregnancy.
B) It stimulates the development of female secondary sex characteristics.
C) It is the primary hormone responsible for lactation.
D) It causes the endometrial lining to shed during menstruation.
Correct Answer: It stimulates the development of female secondary sex characteristics.
Rationale: Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone responsible for the development of
secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development, pubic hair, and the widening of
the pelvis. It also plays a key role in the menstrual cycle by promoting the proliferation of the
endometrial lining. Progesterone maintains the corpus luteum and supports early pregnancy,
prolactin is responsible for lactation, and the shedding of the endometrium occurs when
estrogen and progesterone levels drop.
2. The nurse is assessing a patient's understanding of the menstrual cycle. Which statement by
the patient indicates a correct understanding of the proliferative phase?
A) "This phase is dominated by progesterone from the corpus luteum."
B) "The endometrial lining thickens under the influence of estrogen."
C) "This phase begins immediately after ovulation."
D) "Menstrual bleeding occurs during this phase."
Correct Answer: "The endometrial lining thickens under the influence of estrogen."
,Rationale: The proliferative (follicular) phase is characterized by rising estrogen levels from the
developing ovarian follicles, which causes the endometrial lining to regenerate and thicken in
preparation for potential implantation. Progesterone dominates the secretory phase after
ovulation, and menstrual bleeding occurs during the menstrual phase when hormone levels
drop.
3. A patient asks the nurse when the best time is to conceive during the menstrual cycle. What
is the nurse's best response?
A) "12 to 24 hours before ovulation."
B) "12 to 24 hours after ovulation."
C) "Immediately after menstruation ends."
D) "In the 12 to 24 hours following ovulation."
Correct Answer: "In the 12 to 24 hours following ovulation."
Rationale: An ovum is viable for fertilization for approximately 12 to 24 hours after ovulation.
Sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract for up to 5 days, so intercourse just before
and during ovulation maximizes the chances of pregnancy. The key is to have sperm present
when the ovum is released.
4. A nurse is caring for a postpartum patient who asks about the return of menstruation while
breastfeeding. Which response is most accurate?
A) "You can expect your period to return within 4-6 weeks regardless of breastfeeding."
B) "Breastfeeding typically delays the return of menstruation due to elevated prolactin levels."
C) "Your period will not return until you stop breastfeeding completely."
D) "The return of menstruation is unrelated to breastfeeding."
Correct Answer: "Breastfeeding typically delays the return of menstruation due to elevated
prolactin levels."
,Rationale: Prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production, suppresses gonadotropin-
releasing hormone (GnRH), which in turn inhibits ovulation. This is why many breastfeeding
mothers experience a delay in the return of menstruation. However, breastfeeding is not a
reliable form of contraception, as ovulation can occur before the first postpartum period.
5. A nurse is preparing a patient for a pelvic examination. The nurse identifies the structure that
serves as the passageway for sperm and the birth canal as the:
A) Cervix
B) Uterus
C) Fallopian tube
D) Vagina
Correct Answer: Vagina
Rationale: The vagina is the muscular canal that serves as the passageway for sperm during
intercourse, the birth canal during delivery, and the outlet for menstrual flow. The cervix is the
lower portion of the uterus, the uterus houses the developing fetus, and the fallopian tubes are
the site of fertilization.
6. A patient is diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection affecting the fallopian tubes,
increasing her risk for ectopic pregnancy. Which structure's patency is most directly affected by
this infection?
A) Vagina
B) Cervix
C) Ovaries
D) Fallopian tubes
Correct Answer: Fallopian tubes
, Rationale: The fallopian tubes are the structures where fertilization typically occurs. Infections
that cause scarring or adhesions in the fallopian tubes can impair the transport of the fertilized
ovum to the uterus, leading to an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. The question explicitly
states the infection is affecting the fallopian tubes.
7. The nurse is assessing a patient's obstetric history using the GTPAL system. The patient is
currently pregnant, has had two full-term deliveries, one preterm delivery, two abortions, and
has four living children. What is the correct GTPAL?
A) G4 T2 P1 A2 L4
B) G5 T2 P1 A2 L4
C) G5 T2 P2 A2 L4
D) G4 T2 P2 A2 L4
Correct Answer: G5 T2 P1 A2 L4
Rationale: GTPAL stands for: G (Gravida) - total number of pregnancies, including current; T
(Term) - number of pregnancies carried to term (37 weeks or more); P (Preterm) - number of
pregnancies delivered preterm (20-36 weeks); A (Abortions) - number of pregnancies ending
before 20 weeks (spontaneous or therapeutic); L (Living) - number of currently living children.
The patient is currently pregnant (G=5), has had 2 term births (T=2), 1 preterm birth (P=1), 2
abortions (A=2), and 4 living children (L=4).
8. A patient at 16 weeks gestation reports feeling the first fluttering movements of the fetus.
The nurse documents this finding as:
A) Lightening
B) Ballottement
C) Quickening
D) Braxton Hicks contractions
