Deck 11: Conception and Fetal Development

Question 1

The nurse is preparing a class on reproduction. The cell division process that results in two identical cells, each with the same number of chromosomes as the original cell, is called:

A) Meiosis.
B) Mitosis.
C) Oogenesis.
D) Gametogenesis.

Answer 1

Mitosis.

Question 2

The nurse is teaching about reproduction, and explains that the purposes of meiosis are to:

A) Produce gametes.
B) Reduce the number of chromosomes.
C) Introduce genetic variability.
D) Produce cells for tissue repair.
E) Divide somatic cells into new cells with identical characteristics.

Answer 2

Produce gametes.
Reduce the number of chromosomes.
Introduce genetic variability.

Question 3

In 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 3 days for the egg to reach the uterus."
B) "It will take 8 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 3

"It will take at least 3 days for the egg to reach the uterus."

Question 4

A pregnant woman tells the nurse-midwife, "I've heard that if I eat certain foods during my pregnancy, the baby will be a boy." The nurse-midwife's response should explain that this is a myth, and that the sex of the baby is determined at the time of:

A) Ejaculation.
B) Fertilization.
C) Implantation.
D) Differentiation.

Question 5

The nurse is caring for a patient pregnant with twins. Which statement indicates that 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 both twins to be within the same amniotic sac."

Question 6

The nurse is teaching a group of adolescents that sperm must undergo the process of capacitation in order to fertilize the ova. The characteristics of sperm that have undergone capacitation include the:

A) Ability to undergo an acrosomal reaction.
B) Ability to block polyspermy.
C) Ability to bind to the zona pellucida.
D) Ability to release the protease acrosin.
E) Acquisition of hypermotility.

Question 7

The nurse explains to a preconception class that if only a small volume of sperm is discharged into the vagina, an insufficient quantity of enzymes might be released when they encounter 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 is creating a poster for pregnant mothers. Which description of fetal development should the nurse include?

A) Four primary germ layers form from the blastocyst.
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 9

Student nurses in their obstetrical rotation are learning about fertilization and implantation. The process of implantation is characterized by which statements?

A) The trophoblast attaches itself to the surface of the endometrium.
B) The most frequent site of attachment is the lower part of the anterior uterine wall.
C) Between days 7 and 10, the zona pellucida disappears, and the blastocyst implants itself in the uterine lining.
D) The lining of the uterus thins below the implanted blastocyst.
E) The cells of the trophoblast grow down into the uterine lining, forming the chorionic villi.

Question 10

Type: HOTSPOT In learning about the chromosomes, the student nurse will identify the heterozygous chromosomes as:Shape_
0.
1.0
Standard Text: Click on the correct area on the image.
254.

Question 11

After explaining how meiotic division occurs within the ovum, the nurse knows that the pregnant patient understands when she states:

A) "The second meiotic division is arrested until and unless the oocyte is fertilized."
B) "Meiosis in the oocyte begins at puberty."
C) "The first meiotic division continues when the female infant is born."
D) "Fertilization does not take place in the secondary oocyte."

Question 12

The nurse is explaining the difference between meiosis and mitosis. Which statements would be best?

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, reproduce.
D) Mitosis occurs in most of the cells of the body.
E) Meiotic division leads to cells that halve the original genetic material.

Question 13

A patient tells you that her mother was a twin, two of her sisters have twins, and several cousins either are twins or gave birth to twins. The patient, too, is expecting twins. Because there is a genetic predisposition to twins in her family, there is a good chance that the patient will have:

A) Dizygotic twins.
B) Monozygotic twins.
C) Identical twins.
D) Nonzygotic twins.

Question 14

The nurse has completed a presentation on reproduction. Which 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 15

The nurse educator is discussing human chromosomes with her students, and knows that the teaching has been effective when a student states:

A) "All humans have 48 chromosomes and 2 sex chromosomes."
B) "Human chromosomes are shaped like a 'Y'."
C) "Humans have 46 chromosomes, 2 of which are the sex chromosomes."
D) "Only certain body cells contain the chromosomes."

Question 16

The nurse is creating a handout on reproduction for teen patients. Which piece of information should the nurse include in this handout?

A) The fertilized ovum is called a gamete.
B) Prior to fertilization, the sperm are zygotes.
C) Ova survive 12-24 hours in the fallopian tube if not fertilized.
D) Sperm survive in the female reproductive tract up to a week.

Question 17

Which statement to the nurse by a pregnant patient would indicate that the patient understood the teaching?

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 18

During a class on genetics for pregnant families, the nurse is discussing the how the egg and sperm are formed before fertilization takes place. The nurse explains that these cells have only half the number of chromosomes, so when fertilization takes place, there will be the correct number. The process by which the egg and sperm are formed is called:

A) Oogenesis.
B) Gametogenesis.
C) Meiosis.
D) Spermatogenesis.

Question 19

The nurse working with a patient describes cellular multiplication and how the zygote moves through the fallopian tube, a movement that takes place via:

A) A squeezing motion.
B) Pushing from another ovum that has not been fertilized.
C) Hormone action.
D) A very weak fluid current in the fallopian tube resulting from the beating action of ciliated epithelium.

Question 20

The nurse is teaching the students in their obstetric rotation about fertilization. For fertilization to occur, what portion of the sperm must enter the ovum?

A) The entire sperm
B) Only the head
C) Only the tail
D) Either the head or the tail

Question 21

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 by 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."

Question 22

The nurse educator is presenting a program to college students about factors that can cause congenital malformations. She will tell them that:

A) The most damage is done to the fetus when insult occurs during the second trimester of pregnancy.
B) Spontaneous abortion always occurs if the fetus is affected by a toxin.
C) The fetus is most vulnerable to toxic agents during the first months of pregnancy.
D) Toxic substances are primarily drugs.

Question 23

The nurse is presenting a class to pregnant patients. The nurse asks, "The fetal brain is developing rapidly, and the nervous system is complete enough to provide some regulation of body function on its own, at which fetal development stage?" It is clear that education has been effective when a participant responds:

A) "The 17th-20th week."
B) "The 25th-28th week."
C) "The 29th-32nd week."
D) "The 33rd-36th week."

Question 24

The OB-GYN nurse teaches a first-time pregnant patient that functions of the amniotic fluid include:

A) Allowing fetal freedom of movement.
B) Releasing heat to control fetal temperature.
C) Acting as an extension of fetal extracellular space.
D) Providing a water source for the fetus to swallow.
E) Acting as a wedge during labor.

Question 25

The nurse is teaching the significance of good nutrition on fetal development to a group of young women. Factors discussed will include:

A) Vitamins and folic acid are important before conception.
B) A high-fat diet is essential to fetal development.
C) Glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids are of high importance.
D) Nutrition is important only during the first trimester.
E) Complex carbohydrates and proteins are the only essential nutrients needed for fetal development.

Question 26

A woman pregnant with twins asks the nurse about differences between identical and fraternal twins. The nurse explains that since it has been determined that she is having a boy and a girl, they are fraternal, and there will be:

A) One placenta, two amnions, and two chorions.
B) Two placentas, two amnions, and two chorions.
C) Two placentas, one amnion, and two chorions.
D) Two placentas, two amnions, one chorion.

Question 27

The nurse is holding a class for newly pregnant couples, and discussing good and bad influences on their baby. Prenatal influences on the intrauterine environment include which of the following?

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) Vitamins and folic acid

Question 28

At her first prenatal visit, a woman is discussing fetal development with the nurse. The patient asks, "When will my baby actually have a heartbeat?" The nurse should reply, "The heartbeat of an embryo is distinguishable by:

A) "The fourth week."
B) "The sixth week."
C) "The eighth week."
D) "The twelfth week."

Question 29

During a prenatal examination, an adolescent patient asks, "How does my baby get air?" The nurse would give correct information by saying:

A) "The lungs of the fetus carry out respiratory gas exchange in utero similar to what an adult experiences."
B) "The placenta assumes the function of the fetal lungs by supplying oxygen and allowing the excretion of carbon dioxide into your bloodstream."
C) "The blood from the placenta is carried through the umbilical artery, which penetrates the abdominal wall of the fetus."
D) "The fetus is able to obtain sufficient oxygen due to the fact that your hemoglobin concentration is 50% greater during pregnancy."

Question 30

The nurse educator is teaching student nurses what a fetus will look like at various weeks of development. Which descriptions would be typical of a fetus at 20 weeks' gestation?

A) The fetus has a body weight of 435-465 g.
B) The fetus actively sucks and swallows amniotic fluid.
C) The kidneys begin to produce urine.
D) Nipples appear over the mammary glands.
E) Lanugo covers the entire body.

Question 31

The nurse teaching the expectant parents about the placenta also talks about the circulation and how the fetus gets its oxygen. She will include in this teaching which important fact?

A) The placenta functions as the lungs for the fetus.
B) The fetus obtains its oxygen from the amniotic fluid.
C) The fetus receives its oxygen by osmosis from the mother's bloodstream.
D) Fetal circulation delivers the highest amount of oxygen to the abdomen and lower body of the fetus.

Question 32

The patient has read that the placenta produces hormones that are vital to the function of the fetus. It is evident that that the patient understands the function of the placenta when she states, "The hormone primarily responsible for the maintenance of pregnancy past the 11th week is:

A) "Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)."
B) "Human placental lactogen (hPL)."
C) "Estrogen."
D) "Progesterone."

Question 33

The pregnant patient who is at 14 weeks' gestation asks the nurse why the doctor used to call her baby an embryo, and now calls it a fetus. What is the best answer to this question?

A) "A fetus is the term used from the ninth week of gestation and onward."
B) "We call a baby a fetus when it is larger than an embryo."
C) "An embryo is a baby from conception until the eighth week."
D) "The official term for a baby in utero is really zygote."

Question 34

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 best?

A) "Your baby will be covered in fine hair called lanugo."
B) "Your child will have arm and leg buds, 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 35

A pregnant patient at 28 weeks' gestation asks the nurse what her baby is like at this stage of pregnancy. The nurse responds that the baby:

A) Is laying down subcutaneous fat.
B) Is now opening and closing her eyes.
C) Could now breathe on her own.
D) Has fingernails and toenails.
E) Is forming surfactant needed for lung function.