- Which of the following is the location where fertilization occurs?
- Ovaries
- Vagina
- Uterus
- Fallopian tubes
Fertilization most commonly occurs in the ampulla of the fallopian tube. The embryo then travels to the uterus for implantation.
- Which of the following terms describes a woman who is pregnant?
- Gravida
- Parity
- Spermatogonia
- Zona pellucida
Gravida refers to a woman who is pregnant or has been pregnant. Parity refers to the number of births at or beyond viability. Spermatogonia are male germ cells, and the zona pellucida is the glycoprotein coat around the oocyte.
- Which of the following may indicate pregnancy?
- Goodell’s sign
- Grey Turner’s sign
- Virchow’s nodes
- Cullen’s sign
Goodell’s sign is softening of the cervix in early pregnancy. Grey Turner’s sign is bruising of the flanks, Virchow’s node is an enlarged left supraclavicular lymph node, and Cullen’s sign is bruising around the umbilicus.
- Which of the following is not an associated change during the antepartum period?
- Increased urination frequency
- Increased respiratory requirements
- Decreased basal metabolic rate
- Increased basal metabolic rate
Pregnancy increases basal metabolic rate, increases respiratory drive, and often increases urinary frequency. A decrease in basal metabolic rate is not expected.
- Which of the following denotes abnormal placenta development covering the cervix?
- Placenta previa
- Abruptio placentae
- Multigravida
- Proliferative phase
Placenta previa describes a placenta that overlies or approaches the internal cervical os. Abruptio placentae is premature separation of a normally implanted placenta.
- Which of the following is not part of the Apgar scoring system?
- 0
- Heart rate
- Color
- Tone
The Apgar signs are appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration. The number zero is a score value, not a sign.
- Which of these is not considered a TORCH infection?
- Rubella
- Herpes
- Cytomegalovirus
- Croup
TORCH refers to toxoplasma, other infections such as syphilis and varicella, rubella, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex. Croup is a respiratory illness and is not part of this group.
- Which of the following develops into the ejaculatory duct and ductus deferens?
- Paramesonephric duct
- Mesonephric duct
- Sympathetic duct
- Parasympathetic duct
The mesonephric duct, also called the Wolffian duct, forms the epididymis, the ductus deferens, the ejaculatory duct, and the seminal vesicles in males.
- Which of the following is the result of poor fusion between the paramesonephric ducts in females?
- Placenta previa
- Bicornuate uterus
- Multigravida
- Proliferative phase
A bicornuate uterus results from incomplete fusion of the paramesonephric, or Müllerian, ducts.
- Where does spermatogenesis occur?
- Seminiferous tubules
- Corpus spongiosum
- Prostate gland
- Scrotum
Spermatogenesis takes place in the seminiferous tubules of the testes. Sertoli cells support developing sperm in this location.
- What is the tip of the sperm called?
- Head
- Acrosome
- Tail
- Nucleus
The acrosome is the enzyme-filled cap at the tip of the sperm head. These enzymes help the sperm penetrate the zona pellucida during fertilization.
- Which of the following develops into bone, connective tissue, blood, and the spleen?
- Notochord
- Endoderm
- Mesoderm
- Ectoderm
Mesoderm gives rise to bone, cartilage, connective tissue, blood, blood vessels, and the spleen. Ectoderm and endoderm form different structures.
- Which of the following is not a germ layer during the third week of development?
- Mesoderm
- Ectoderm
- Endoderm
- Exoderm
The three germ layers are ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. Exoderm is not one of the germ layers.
- What kind of blood does the umbilical cord carry?
- Deoxygenated
- Oxygenated
- Oxygenated and deoxygenated
- No blood (only nutrients and wastes)
The umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus, and the two umbilical arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the fetus back to the placenta.
- Ovulation occurs during which of the following phases?
- Menstrual
- Secretory
- Proliferative
- Follicle
In the uterine or endometrial cycle, ovulation occurs at the end of the proliferative phase and ushers in the secretory phase. In the ovarian cycle, ovulation marks the transition from the follicular phase to the luteal phase.
- Following fertilization, what hormone does the blastocyst secrete?
- Human chorionic gonadotropin
- Oxytocin
- Follicle-stimulating hormone
- Luteinizing hormone
After implantation, the syncytiotrophoblast portion of the blastocyst secretes human chorionic gonadotropin. This hormone maintains the corpus luteum so that progesterone production continues until the placenta assumes that role.
- Which of the following secretes progesterone to help the implanted embryo and continue the pregnancy?
- Corpus luteum
- Mesoderm
- Endoderm
- Thyroid
The corpus luteum produces progesterone and supports the endometrium during early pregnancy until the placenta takes over hormone production.
- Which of the following is NOT an accurate description of Braxton Hicks contractions?
- Painless
- Intermittent contractions
- Edema
- Irregular
Braxton Hicks contractions are typically painless, irregular, and intermittent. Edema is swelling and is not a description of these contractions.
- If a newborn exhibits a heart rate of 80 bpm, what should the Apgar score be?
- 0
- 1
- 2
- 3
On the Apgar scale for pulse, a heart rate below 100 bpm receives a score of 1.
- If a newborn exhibits blue extremities and the body is pink, what should the Apgar score be?
- 0
- 1
- 2
- 3
On the Apgar scale for appearance, a pink body with blue hands and feet indicates acrocyanosis and receives a score of 1.