Question 1

Chantal and Larry are considering having a baby. Chantal's doctor recommends that they stop using recreational drugs and update their immunizations _____.

Accepted Answer

It is important for Chantal and Larry to stop using recreational drugs and update their immunizations before Chantal gets pregnant in order to ensure a healthy pregnancy and reduce any potential risks to the baby. Waiting until Chantal is already pregnant or during the first trimester may be too late and not provide the same level of protection. Waiting until after the baby is born also does not address any potential problems during the pregnancy itself.

Question 2

Gabby received high-quality prenatal care from the care team at her local hospital. She was informed about what to eat and what to do. They also coached her on what to _____, such as cigarette smoking and very high stress.

Accepted Answer

The sentence mentions that the care team coached Gabby on what to "avoid" such as cigarette smoking and very high stress. Therefore, the correct choice is A.

Question 3

During prenatal development, teratogens _____.

Accepted Answer

Teratogens are substances or factors that can cause abnormalities or defects in a developing fetus. Exposure to teratogens during pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, or a range of physical or cognitive disabilities in the child. Therefore, teratogens increase the risk of prenatal abnormalities.

Question 4

Anoxia refers to _____.

Accepted Answer

Anoxia refers to a lack of oxygen.

Question 5

A teratogen is any agent or condition that increases the risk for _____.

Accepted Answer

A teratogen increases the risk of prenatal abnormalities, including structural or functional birth defects, developmental delays, and behavioral problems. It does not necessarily cause extra chromosomes or male infertility, although some teratogens may damage the placenta which can result in fetal problems.

Question 6

Agents and conditions that can harm the prenatal brain, impairing the future child's intellectual and emotional functioning, are called _____.

Accepted Answer

Behavioral teratogens are agents and conditions that can harm the prenatal brain, impairing the future child's intellectual and emotional functioning. Examples of behavioral teratogens include maternal stress, drug and alcohol use during pregnancy, and exposure to environmental toxins. Choices A, B, and C refer to genetic and cellular factors, which can also affect prenatal development, but are not specifically related to environmental factors that harm the developing brain.

Question 7

Alice is pregnant and wants to ensure that she does everything she can to prevent the occurrence of a neural-tube defect in her child. She makes sure that she has the proper amount of _____ in her diet.

Accepted Answer

Folic acid is crucial for proper neural tube development in a developing fetus. Adequate intake of folic acid before and during early pregnancy can significantly decrease the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. While the other nutrients listed may be important for overall health during pregnancy, they do not have the same impact on preventing neural tube defects.

Question 8

Some teratogens have a threshold effect, which means that they are _____.

Accepted Answer

Teratogens with a threshold effect are only harmful above a certain level of exposure. Below that level, they are generally considered safe.

Question 9

Sammy is 5 years old and spends his day in a wheelchair, assisted by an aid. Sammy can't control any of his muscles due to brain damage, but he is extremely intelligent. Sammy's condition has been evident since birth. Sammy has _____.

Accepted Answer

Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects movement and muscle coordination. It can be caused by brain damage or abnormalities that occur before, during, or after birth. Symptoms of cerebral palsy vary, but can include difficulty with muscle coordination and control, as well as cognitive impairment. Sammy's inability to control his muscles and brain damage point to cerebral palsy as the most likely condition he has. Anoxia, Huntington's disease, and Parkinson's disease are not consistent with Sammy's symptoms.

Question 10

Ava is one month pregnant and consults with her doctor about the different categories of teratogens. The doctor tells her that all of the following are categories of teratogens EXCEPT _____.

Accepted Answer

The media is not considered a category of teratogens. The three main categories are drugs, pollutants, and infectious agents (including viruses).

Question 11

The first days and weeks after conception (the germinal and embryonic periods) are _____ for body formation, but health during the entire fetal period affects the _____.

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is B because during the germinal and embryonic periods, the development of the brain and other major organs occurs. However, health throughout the fetal period affects the development and function of all organs, including the heart. The term "critical period" refers to a time of specific vulnerability or sensitivity to certain influences, and in prenatal development, this is often used to describe the importance of the embryonic period for body formation.

Question 12

With respect to test results, a false positive is the result of a laboratory test that reports something as _____.

Accepted Answer

A false positive occurs when the test result is reported as positive (true), but in reality, the condition or substance being tested for is not present. Therefore, it is reported as true when it is not actually true.

Question 13

Cerebral palsy was once thought to be the result of something that happened during the birth procedure, but we now know it can result from each of the following EXCEPT _____.

Accepted Answer

Huntington disease is a genetic disorder that affects the nervous system, but it is not a known cause of cerebral palsy. The other options (genetic sensitivity, teratogens, and maternal infection) have all been linked to an increased risk of cerebral palsy.

Question 14

The cognitive deficits caused by the genetic condition of _____ are the most common form of inherited intellectual disability.

Accepted Answer

Fragile X syndrome is the most common form of inherited intellectual disability, causing cognitive deficits and developmental delays. Down syndrome and Huntington disease are genetic conditions that can cause intellectual disability but are not as prevalent as fragile X syndrome. Nearsightedness is a visual impairment and does not affect cognitive abilities.

Question 15

When Alexia was born, she suffered a lack of oxygen for a small amount of time. Alexia experienced _____.

Accepted Answer

Lack of oxygen at birth is known as anoxia.

Question 16

Babies born under 1,000 grams (2 pounds 3 ounces) are considered _____.

Accepted Answer

Babies born under 1,000 grams (2 pounds 3 ounces) are considered extremely low birthweight.

Question 17

A woman carrying dizygotic twins drinks alcohol. The twins' blood alcohol levels are equal, yet one twin may be more severely affected than the other because their alleles for the enzyme that metabolizes alcohol differ. This is evidence that the _____ influence the effects of teratogens.

Accepted Answer

The fact that one twin may be more affected by alcohol than the other due to differences in their alleles for the enzyme that metabolizes alcohol indicates that genes of the embryo/fetus can influence the effects of teratogens. This is known as genetic susceptibility. The other choices (kinds of substances, genes of the parent, and doses of teratogen) do not specifically address this issue of genetic susceptibility.

Question 18

Low folic acid during pregnancy can result in _____.

Accepted Answer

Low folic acid during pregnancy can result in neural-tube defects, which are defects in the developing brain and spinal cord.

Question 19

Hannah is 5 years old. She has been diagnosed with ADHD and shows signs of learning disabilities. Her doctor suggests that Hannah's problems could be the result of prenatal exposure to _____, though he stresses that the link is not straightforward at this time.

Accepted Answer

Behavioral teratogens are environmental factors that can affect prenatal development, including brain development, and increase the risk of developmental disorders like ADHD. It is crucial to note, however, that the link between prenatal exposure to behavioral teratogens and developmental outcomes is complex and not fully understood.

Question 20

Skye is pregnant yet she still has four alcoholic drinks each day. Her baby may be at increased risk for the development of _____.

Accepted Answer

Skye's alcohol consumption during pregnancy puts her baby at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which is a serious condition that can cause developmental problems, physical abnormalities, and lifelong cognitive and behavioral issues. Fetal anoxia syndrome and functional alcohol syndrome are not recognized medical conditions. Fetal alcohol situation is not a recognized term for any medical condition related to alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Quiz 8: Middle Childhood: the Social World