Chapter 5:
Fetal Development - ML4
A pregnant client is concerned that the baby is going to drown in the uterus because of the fluid.
What should the nurse teach the client about fetal respiration?
Correct response:
“Oxygen is provided to the baby through the placenta.”
A woman comes in for her annual gynecological examination and informs the nurse that she is
going to try and become pregnant. She asks the nurse when the best time in the month is to
become pregnant. What is the best response by the nurse?
Correct response:
"3 days before until 2 days after ovulation."
A pregnant client scheduled for an amniocentesis asks the nurse how the placenta is not
punctured during the procedure. How should the nurse respond to the client?
Correct response:
“A sonogram to locate it will be done first.”
A nursing student studying reproduction identifies which of the following statements to be
correct?
Correct response:
Twenty-two of the 23 pairs of chromosomes are autosomes and the remaining pair is the
sex chromosomes.
A woman has just learned that she is pregnant and would like to know how soon she can find out
via ultrasound the sex of her fetus. The nurse should respond with which of the following?
Correct response:
at about 4 months
What should the nurse explain to the pregnant client about the importance of the fetal stage of
development?
Correct response:
, There is additional growth and development of the organs and body systems.
Often, an ectopic pregnancy occurs in one of the woman's fallopian tubes. If undetected, the
growing embryo puts extreme pressure on the tube, dilating it until it finally ruptures.
Hemorrhage then occurs, putting the mother's life at risk. Where does the blood hemorrhage
into?
Correct response:
peritoneal cavity
A nursing instructor is explaining the stages of fetal development to a group of nursing students.
The instructor determines the session is successful after the students correctly choose which time
period as representing the pre-embryonic stage?
Correct response:
From fertilization to the end of the second week after fertilization
A nurse is asked to auscultate the fetal heart sounds in a pregnant client. Which equipment
is most appropriate when auscultating fetal heart sounds at the 12th week?
Correct response:
Doppler
A couple comes into the family planning clinic inquiring how to best influence the gender of
their next baby, since they have two boys and desire a girl this time. What advice would the
nurse provide for this couple to assist in improving the odds of having a baby girl next time?
Correct response:
Although there are many beliefs regarding how to influence gender of babies, there is no
scientific basis for any of them.
Which actions would protect a fetus from exposure to environmental teratogens?
Correct response:
Use gloves when handling any chemicals.
A fertilized ovum is known as which structure?
Correct response:
zygote
A couple comes to the clinic for preconception counseling and care. As part of the visit, the
nurse teaches the couple about fertilization and initial development, stating that the zygote
formed by the union of the ovum and sperm consists of how many chromosomes?
, Correct response:
46
A woman with epilepsy was on phenytoin when she became pregnant. She is very worried that
her baby will have a birth defect. Which reply by the nurse is most therapeutic?
Correct response:
"Yes, phenytoin increases the risk of certain defects in the fetus; however, overall the
risk is low that your baby will be affected. Your doctor weighs the risk of untreated
epilepsy on the fetus with the risk of the medication when making decisions about your
treatment plan."
Amniotic fluid is produced throughout the pregnancy by the fetal membranes. Amniotic fluid has
four major functions. What is one of these functions?
Correct response:
Physical protection
A pregnant woman asks the nurse about medications taken during pregnancy and if they cross
the placental barrier. What response by the nurse is appropriate?
Correct response:
"Some medications cross the placental barrier, so be sure to discuss medications with
your provider."
A multigravida client is concerned that she may deliver early. When asking the nurse what is the
earliest her baby can be delivered and survive, which time frame would the nurse point out?
Correct response:
The end of the second trimester
The fluid-filled, inner membrane sac surrounding the fetus is which structure?
Correct response:
amnion
A nursing instructor teaching a maternity course realizes a student needs more instruction upon
overhearing the student make which of the following statements?
Correct response:
"Different sexual positions can determine the sex of the fetus."
The health care provider prescribes 50 mg daily by mouth of clomiphene for a client having
fertility problems. The client cannot swallow pills. Available is 200 mg/5 ml elixir. How many
Fetal Development - ML4
A pregnant client is concerned that the baby is going to drown in the uterus because of the fluid.
What should the nurse teach the client about fetal respiration?
Correct response:
“Oxygen is provided to the baby through the placenta.”
A woman comes in for her annual gynecological examination and informs the nurse that she is
going to try and become pregnant. She asks the nurse when the best time in the month is to
become pregnant. What is the best response by the nurse?
Correct response:
"3 days before until 2 days after ovulation."
A pregnant client scheduled for an amniocentesis asks the nurse how the placenta is not
punctured during the procedure. How should the nurse respond to the client?
Correct response:
“A sonogram to locate it will be done first.”
A nursing student studying reproduction identifies which of the following statements to be
correct?
Correct response:
Twenty-two of the 23 pairs of chromosomes are autosomes and the remaining pair is the
sex chromosomes.
A woman has just learned that she is pregnant and would like to know how soon she can find out
via ultrasound the sex of her fetus. The nurse should respond with which of the following?
Correct response:
at about 4 months
What should the nurse explain to the pregnant client about the importance of the fetal stage of
development?
Correct response:
, There is additional growth and development of the organs and body systems.
Often, an ectopic pregnancy occurs in one of the woman's fallopian tubes. If undetected, the
growing embryo puts extreme pressure on the tube, dilating it until it finally ruptures.
Hemorrhage then occurs, putting the mother's life at risk. Where does the blood hemorrhage
into?
Correct response:
peritoneal cavity
A nursing instructor is explaining the stages of fetal development to a group of nursing students.
The instructor determines the session is successful after the students correctly choose which time
period as representing the pre-embryonic stage?
Correct response:
From fertilization to the end of the second week after fertilization
A nurse is asked to auscultate the fetal heart sounds in a pregnant client. Which equipment
is most appropriate when auscultating fetal heart sounds at the 12th week?
Correct response:
Doppler
A couple comes into the family planning clinic inquiring how to best influence the gender of
their next baby, since they have two boys and desire a girl this time. What advice would the
nurse provide for this couple to assist in improving the odds of having a baby girl next time?
Correct response:
Although there are many beliefs regarding how to influence gender of babies, there is no
scientific basis for any of them.
Which actions would protect a fetus from exposure to environmental teratogens?
Correct response:
Use gloves when handling any chemicals.
A fertilized ovum is known as which structure?
Correct response:
zygote
A couple comes to the clinic for preconception counseling and care. As part of the visit, the
nurse teaches the couple about fertilization and initial development, stating that the zygote
formed by the union of the ovum and sperm consists of how many chromosomes?
, Correct response:
46
A woman with epilepsy was on phenytoin when she became pregnant. She is very worried that
her baby will have a birth defect. Which reply by the nurse is most therapeutic?
Correct response:
"Yes, phenytoin increases the risk of certain defects in the fetus; however, overall the
risk is low that your baby will be affected. Your doctor weighs the risk of untreated
epilepsy on the fetus with the risk of the medication when making decisions about your
treatment plan."
Amniotic fluid is produced throughout the pregnancy by the fetal membranes. Amniotic fluid has
four major functions. What is one of these functions?
Correct response:
Physical protection
A pregnant woman asks the nurse about medications taken during pregnancy and if they cross
the placental barrier. What response by the nurse is appropriate?
Correct response:
"Some medications cross the placental barrier, so be sure to discuss medications with
your provider."
A multigravida client is concerned that she may deliver early. When asking the nurse what is the
earliest her baby can be delivered and survive, which time frame would the nurse point out?
Correct response:
The end of the second trimester
The fluid-filled, inner membrane sac surrounding the fetus is which structure?
Correct response:
amnion
A nursing instructor teaching a maternity course realizes a student needs more instruction upon
overhearing the student make which of the following statements?
Correct response:
"Different sexual positions can determine the sex of the fetus."
The health care provider prescribes 50 mg daily by mouth of clomiphene for a client having
fertility problems. The client cannot swallow pills. Available is 200 mg/5 ml elixir. How many
