Deck 4: Conception and Fetal Development

Question 1

When evaluating information taught about conception and fetal development, the patient verbalizes understanding about transportation time of the zygote through the fallopian tube and into the cavity of the uterus with which statement?

A)"It will take at least three days for the egg to reach the uterus."
B)"It will take eight days for the egg to reach the uterus."
C)"It will only take 12 hours for the egg to go through the fallopian tube."
D)"It will take 18 hours for the fertilized egg to implant in the uterus."

Answer 1

"It will take at least three days for the egg to reach the uterus."

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient who is pregnant with twins. Which statement indicates the patient needs additional information?

A)"Because both of my twins are boys, I know that they are identical."
B)"If my twins came from one fertilized egg that split, they are identical."
C)"If I have one boy and one girl, I will know they came from two eggs."
D)"It is rare for twins to both be within the same amniotic sac."

Answer 2

"Because both of my twins are boys, I know that they are identical."

Question 3

The patient at 18 weeks' gestation thinks she might have been exposed to a toxin at work that could affect fetal development. The patient asks the nurse what organs might be affected at this point in pregnancy. The best response of the nurse is:

A)"The brain is developing now and could be affected."
B)"Because you are in the second trimester, there is no danger."
C)"The internal organs like the heart and lungs could be impacted."
D)"It's best to not worry about possible problems with your baby."

Answer 3

"The brain is developing now and could be affected."

Question 4

The nurse is creating a poster for pregnant mothers. Which description of fetal development does the nurse include?

A)Four layers of cells form after the embryo is at the ball stage.
B)After fertilization, the cells only become larger for several weeks.
C)Most organs are formed by 8 weeks after fertilization.
D)The embryonic stage is from fertilization until 5 months.

Question 5

After teaching a class about the female reproductive system, the nurse asks the attendees to describe the process of meiosis. Which student response suggests successful comprehension of the material?

A)"Completion of the second meiotic division results in formation of three polar bodies and one ovum."
B)"At the time of ovulation, the first meiotic division begins."
C)"Completion of the first meiotic division produces three polar bodies and one primary oocyte."
D)"At the time of puberty, the second meiotic division begins."

Question 6

The nurse is working with a patient who has experienced a fetal death in utero at 20 weeks. The patient asks what her baby will look like when it is delivered. Which statement by the nurse is the best response?

A)"Your baby will be covered in fine hair called lanugo."
B)"Your child will have arm and leg buds, but not fully formed limbs."
C)"A white, cheesy substance called vernix caseosa will be on the skin."
D)"The genitals of the baby will be ambiguous."

Question 7

If only a small volume of sperm is discharged into the vagina, an insufficient amount of enzymes might be released when sperm encounters the ovum. In that case, pregnancy would probably not result because:

A)Peristalsis of the fallopian tube would decrease, making it difficult for the ovum to enter the uterus.
B)The block to polyspermy (cortical reaction) would not occur.
C)The fertilized ovum would be unable to implant in the uterus.
D)Sperm would be unable to penetrate the zona pellucida of the ovum.

Question 8

The nurse has completed a presentation on reproduction. Which participant's statement indicates that the teaching has been successful?

A)"A male is born with all the sperm he will ever produce."
B)"Females create new ova throughout their reproductive life."
C)"Ova separate into two unequally sized cells."
D)"Each primary spermatocyte divides into four haploid cells."

Question 9

Which statement by a pregnant patient would indicate that additional teaching was necessary?

A)"Because of their birth relationship, fraternal twins are more similar to each other than if they had been born singly."
B)"Identical twins can be the same or different sex."
C)"Congenital abnormalities are more prevalent in identical twins."
D)"Identical twins occur more frequently than fraternal twins."

Question 10

You are counseling a young woman regarding contraception. When asked if she currently uses any form of contraception, she replies, "I can't get pregnant because I don't have intercourse on the day I ovulate." Based upon her response, what information should you include in your teaching?

A)Refraining from intercourse on the day of ovulation will effectively prevent pregnancy.
B)Sperm are believed to be healthy and highly fertile for at least five days.
C)After ovulation, ova are considered fertile for about 72-96 hours.
D)Sperm survive 48-72 hours in the female reproductive tract.

Question 11

The nurse is explaining the difference between meiosis and mitosis. Which statement does the nurse include?

A)Meiosis is the division of a cell into two exact copies of the original cell.
B)Mitosis is splitting one cell into two, each with half the chromosomes of the original cell.
C)Meiosis is the process by which gametes, or the sperm and ova, are formed.
D)Mitosis occurs in most of the cells of the body.
E)Meiotic division leads to cells that halve the original genetic material.

Question 12

The nurse is preparing a preconception information class. Information about causes of fetal organ malformation in the first trimester will be presented. What prenatal influences on the intrauterine environment should be included in the instruction?

A)The use of saunas or hot tubs
B)The use of drugs
C)The quality of the sperm or ovum
D)Maternal nutrition
E)Age of the mother at conception

Question 13

The nurse is presenting an early pregnancy class to a group of pregnant women. Which statement indicates a need for further education? "The placenta:

A)"Develops and grows larger until about 20 weeks' gestation."
B)"Creates hormones and enzymes that are necessary during pregnancy."
C)"Ages and becomes less permeable during the last month of pregnancy."
D)"Floats in the amniotic sac and filters waste products from the fetus."

Question 14

A pregnant patient asks you to describe the differences between monozygotic and dizygotic twins. Which statement should you include in your teaching?

A)Dizygotic twinning occurs less frequently than does monozygotic twinning.
B)Monozygotic twins originate from division of the fertilized ovum at different stages.
C)Dizygotic twins share one placenta and one chorion.
D)Monozygotic twins are also referred to as "fraternal" twins.

Question 15

At her first prenatal visit, the patient states, "I'm five weeks' pregnant now and I would like to hear my baby's heartbeat today." How should the nurse respond?

A)Prepare to assist with auscultation of the fetal heartbeat using a fetoscope.
B)Explain to the patient that the fetal heart does not begin to beat until approximately 7 weeks' gestation.
C)Anticipate that the patient will be scheduled for Doppler ultrasound.
D)Explain to the patient that the fetal heartbeat is not yet detectable at 5 weeks' gestation.