Chapter 03: Fetal Development
Leifer: Introduction to Maternity and Pediatric Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. At what point in prenatal development do the lungs begin to produce surfactant?
a. 17 weeks
b. 20 weeks
c. 25 weeks
d. 30 weeks
ANS: C
During week 25, the alveoli begin to produce surfactant, which enables the alveoli to stay
open for adequate lung oxygenation to occur.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 41 | Table 3.1
OBJ: 5 TOP: Prenatal Development KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Growth and Development
2. A woman missed her menstrual period 1 week ago and has come to the doctor‘s office for a
pregnancy test. Which placental hormone is measured in pregnancy tests?
a. Progesterone
b. Estrogen
c. Human chorionic gonadotropin
d. Human placental lactogen
ANS: C
Human chorionic gonadotropin is the basis for most pregnancy tests. It is detectable in
maternal blood as soon as implantation occurs, usually 7 to 9 days after fertilization.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 42 OBJ: 6
TOP: Accessory Structures of Pregnancy KEY: Nursing Process Step: Data
Collection
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Growth and Development
, 3. When preparing to teach a class about prenatal development, the nurse would include
information about folic acid supplementation. What is folic acid known to prevent?
a. Congenital heart defects
b. Neural tube defects
c. Mental retardation
d. Premature birth
ANS: B
It is now known that folic acid supplements can prevent neural tube defects such as spina
bifida.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 39 OBJ: 5
TOP: Prenatal Development KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Growth and Development
4. The nurse is educating a class of expectant parents about fetal development. What is considered
fetal age of viability?
a. 14 weeks
b. 20 weeks
c. 25 weeks
d. 30 weeks
ANS: B
By 20 weeks of gestation, the lungs have matured enough for the fetus to survive outside the
uterus (age of viability).
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 39 OBJ: 5
TOP: Prenatal Developmental Milestones KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Growth and Development
5. The nurse is presenting a conference on gene dominance. What does the nurse report as the
percentage of children carrying the dominant gene if one parent has a dominant gene and the
other parent does not?
a. 10%
b. 25%
Leifer: Introduction to Maternity and Pediatric Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. At what point in prenatal development do the lungs begin to produce surfactant?
a. 17 weeks
b. 20 weeks
c. 25 weeks
d. 30 weeks
ANS: C
During week 25, the alveoli begin to produce surfactant, which enables the alveoli to stay
open for adequate lung oxygenation to occur.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 41 | Table 3.1
OBJ: 5 TOP: Prenatal Development KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Growth and Development
2. A woman missed her menstrual period 1 week ago and has come to the doctor‘s office for a
pregnancy test. Which placental hormone is measured in pregnancy tests?
a. Progesterone
b. Estrogen
c. Human chorionic gonadotropin
d. Human placental lactogen
ANS: C
Human chorionic gonadotropin is the basis for most pregnancy tests. It is detectable in
maternal blood as soon as implantation occurs, usually 7 to 9 days after fertilization.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 42 OBJ: 6
TOP: Accessory Structures of Pregnancy KEY: Nursing Process Step: Data
Collection
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Growth and Development
, 3. When preparing to teach a class about prenatal development, the nurse would include
information about folic acid supplementation. What is folic acid known to prevent?
a. Congenital heart defects
b. Neural tube defects
c. Mental retardation
d. Premature birth
ANS: B
It is now known that folic acid supplements can prevent neural tube defects such as spina
bifida.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 39 OBJ: 5
TOP: Prenatal Development KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Growth and Development
4. The nurse is educating a class of expectant parents about fetal development. What is considered
fetal age of viability?
a. 14 weeks
b. 20 weeks
c. 25 weeks
d. 30 weeks
ANS: B
By 20 weeks of gestation, the lungs have matured enough for the fetus to survive outside the
uterus (age of viability).
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 39 OBJ: 5
TOP: Prenatal Developmental Milestones KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Growth and Development
5. The nurse is presenting a conference on gene dominance. What does the nurse report as the
percentage of children carrying the dominant gene if one parent has a dominant gene and the
other parent does not?
a. 10%
b. 25%
