NURS 4341 EXAM 1 BLUEPRINT | QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS - UTA.
SECTION A: CONCEPTION AND FERTILIZATION
Question 1
Conception and fertilization require:
A) High estrogen levels and thick cervical mucus
B) Favorable pH and cervical mucus
C) Progesterone dominance and cervical dilation
D) Elevated FSH and LH levels
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Conception and fertilization require a favorable pH and adequate
cervical mucus to support sperm transport and survival .
Question 2
The embryonic stage is the most critical time for the development of organs and
external features. This stage occurs during which time frame?
A) Day 1-14 after conception
B) Day 15-8 weeks after conception
C) 8-12 weeks after conception
D) 12-20 weeks after conception
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The embryonic stage, from approximately day 15 to 8 weeks after
conception, is the most critical period for organogenesis and the development of
external features. This is when the fetus is most vulnerable to teratogens .
,Question 3
All women of childbearing age should be taking which supplement to prevent
neural tube defects?
A) Iron
B) Calcium
C) Folic acid
D) Vitamin D
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: All women of childbearing age should take folic acid supplementation
to help prevent neural tube defects in early pregnancy .
SECTION B: PLACENTAL FUNCTION AND HORMONES
Question 4
The primary functions of the placenta include all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Protecting the fetus from immune attack by the mother
B) Inducing the mother to bring more food to the placenta
C) Producing hormones that ready fetal organs for life outside the uterus near
delivery
D) Producing fetal red blood cells
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The placenta protects the fetus from immune attack, induces maternal
nutrient delivery, and produces hormones to prepare fetal organs for extrauterine
life . It does not produce fetal red blood cells; this is the function of the fetal liver
and bone marrow.
Question 5
Which hormone is the basis for pregnancy testing?
, A) Progesterone
B) Estrogen
C) Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
D) Human placental lactogen (hPL)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: hCG preserves the corpus luteum and its progesterone production to
maintain the endometrial lining. It is the basis for pregnancy tests .
Question 6
Which placental hormone modulates fetal and maternal metabolism and
decreases maternal glucose use to increase availability to the fetus?
A) Estrogen
B) Progesterone
C) Human placental lactogen (hPL)
D) Relaxin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: hPL (also called hCS) modulates fetal and maternal metabolism and
decreases maternal glucose use to increase availability to the fetus .
Question 7
Which placental hormone is responsible for the enlargement of breasts, uterus,
and external genitalia, and stimulates myometrial contractility?
A) Progesterone
B) Estrogen
C) hCG
D) Relaxin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Estrogen (estriol) causes enlargement of the breasts, uterus, and
external genitalia, and stimulates myometrial contractility .
AND ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS - UTA.
SECTION A: CONCEPTION AND FERTILIZATION
Question 1
Conception and fertilization require:
A) High estrogen levels and thick cervical mucus
B) Favorable pH and cervical mucus
C) Progesterone dominance and cervical dilation
D) Elevated FSH and LH levels
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Conception and fertilization require a favorable pH and adequate
cervical mucus to support sperm transport and survival .
Question 2
The embryonic stage is the most critical time for the development of organs and
external features. This stage occurs during which time frame?
A) Day 1-14 after conception
B) Day 15-8 weeks after conception
C) 8-12 weeks after conception
D) 12-20 weeks after conception
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The embryonic stage, from approximately day 15 to 8 weeks after
conception, is the most critical period for organogenesis and the development of
external features. This is when the fetus is most vulnerable to teratogens .
,Question 3
All women of childbearing age should be taking which supplement to prevent
neural tube defects?
A) Iron
B) Calcium
C) Folic acid
D) Vitamin D
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: All women of childbearing age should take folic acid supplementation
to help prevent neural tube defects in early pregnancy .
SECTION B: PLACENTAL FUNCTION AND HORMONES
Question 4
The primary functions of the placenta include all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Protecting the fetus from immune attack by the mother
B) Inducing the mother to bring more food to the placenta
C) Producing hormones that ready fetal organs for life outside the uterus near
delivery
D) Producing fetal red blood cells
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The placenta protects the fetus from immune attack, induces maternal
nutrient delivery, and produces hormones to prepare fetal organs for extrauterine
life . It does not produce fetal red blood cells; this is the function of the fetal liver
and bone marrow.
Question 5
Which hormone is the basis for pregnancy testing?
, A) Progesterone
B) Estrogen
C) Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
D) Human placental lactogen (hPL)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: hCG preserves the corpus luteum and its progesterone production to
maintain the endometrial lining. It is the basis for pregnancy tests .
Question 6
Which placental hormone modulates fetal and maternal metabolism and
decreases maternal glucose use to increase availability to the fetus?
A) Estrogen
B) Progesterone
C) Human placental lactogen (hPL)
D) Relaxin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: hPL (also called hCS) modulates fetal and maternal metabolism and
decreases maternal glucose use to increase availability to the fetus .
Question 7
Which placental hormone is responsible for the enlargement of breasts, uterus,
and external genitalia, and stimulates myometrial contractility?
A) Progesterone
B) Estrogen
C) hCG
D) Relaxin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Estrogen (estriol) causes enlargement of the breasts, uterus, and
external genitalia, and stimulates myometrial contractility .
