ESTUDYR
NUR 1125 EXAM 1 MOST TESTED QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED A+ WITH RATIONALES
1. Which hormone is assessed in pregnancy tests, when does it peak, and what hormones
increase at term?
A. Estrogen; peaks in third trimester; progesterone and prolactin
B. Progesterone; peaks in first trimester; oxytocin and relaxin
C. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG); peaks in first trimester; estrogen, progesterone,
human placental lactogen, relaxin
D. Oxytocin; peaks at delivery; estrogen and prolactin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: hCG maintains the corpus luteum early in pregnancy and peaks in the first trimester.
As the placenta matures, estrogen, progesterone, hPL, and relaxin increase.
2. What is the primary role of estrogen during pregnancy?
A. Prevents uterine contractions
B. Decreases blood flow to uterus
C. Stimulates uterine growth, increases blood supply, prepares breasts for lactation
D. Suppresses mucous membranes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Estrogen supports uterine enlargement, vascularization, breast development, and
mucous membrane changes.
3. What is the primary function of progesterone in pregnancy?
A. Increases uterine contractions
B. Prevents spontaneous abortion by relaxing smooth muscle
C. Causes cervical ripening
D. Stimulates milk let-down
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Progesterone relaxes uterine smooth muscle to maintain pregnancy and reduces
airway resistance.
,ESTUDYR
4. Which list correctly identifies the three stages of prenatal development?
A. Embryo, fetus, neonate
B. Zygote, embryo, fetus
C. Ovum, blastocyst, fetus
D. Zygote, neonate, fetus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Development progresses from zygote → embryo (weeks 2–8) → fetus (week 9 to
birth).
5. During which trimester is the fetus most vulnerable to teratogens?
A. Third
B. Second
C. First
D. Post-term
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Organogenesis occurs during the first trimester, making it the period of greatest
vulnerability.
6. Which infections are considered most toxic to the fetus?
A. HIV, hepatitis B, HSV
B. CMV, parvovirus, influenza
C. Rubella, syphilis, toxoplasmosis
D. Gonorrhea, chlamydia, HPV
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: These infections can cause severe congenital abnormalities, especially in early
pregnancy.
,ESTUDYR
7. Which fetal shunt connects the right and left atria?
A. Ductus arteriosus
B. Ductus venosus
C. Foramen ovale
D. Umbilical vein
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The foramen ovale allows blood to bypass fetal lungs by flowing between atria.
8. Which fetal shunt connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta?
A. Foramen ovale
B. Ductus arteriosus
C. Ductus venosus
D. Umbilical artery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This shunt diverts blood away from the lungs into systemic circulation.
9. What is the primary function of amniotic fluid?
A. Delivers nutrients
B. Removes fetal waste
C. Protects, cushions, allows movement, and maintains temperature
D. Produces hormones
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Amniotic fluid supports fetal development and protection.
10. Polyhydramnios is defined as:
A. Low amniotic fluid
B. Infection of fluid
C. Excessive amniotic fluid
D. Ruptured membranes
, ESTUDYR
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Polyhydramnios indicates too much fluid; oligohydramnios indicates too little.
11. What is the normal structure of the umbilical cord?
A. Two veins, one artery
B. One vein, one artery
C. Two arteries and one vein (AVA)
D. Three veins
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The vein carries oxygenated blood to the fetus; arteries return waste.
12. Braxton Hicks contractions are best described as:
A. Painful and regular
B. Progressive cervical dilation
C. Irregular, painless uterine contractions
D. Always indicate labor
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Braxton Hicks contractions are false labor contractions.
13. Which cardiovascular change occurs during pregnancy?
A. Decreased blood volume
B. Decreased heart rate
C. Hypervolemia with 50% increase in blood volume
D. Reduced clotting factors
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Increased blood volume supports placental perfusion and prepares for blood loss.
NUR 1125 EXAM 1 MOST TESTED QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED A+ WITH RATIONALES
1. Which hormone is assessed in pregnancy tests, when does it peak, and what hormones
increase at term?
A. Estrogen; peaks in third trimester; progesterone and prolactin
B. Progesterone; peaks in first trimester; oxytocin and relaxin
C. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG); peaks in first trimester; estrogen, progesterone,
human placental lactogen, relaxin
D. Oxytocin; peaks at delivery; estrogen and prolactin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: hCG maintains the corpus luteum early in pregnancy and peaks in the first trimester.
As the placenta matures, estrogen, progesterone, hPL, and relaxin increase.
2. What is the primary role of estrogen during pregnancy?
A. Prevents uterine contractions
B. Decreases blood flow to uterus
C. Stimulates uterine growth, increases blood supply, prepares breasts for lactation
D. Suppresses mucous membranes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Estrogen supports uterine enlargement, vascularization, breast development, and
mucous membrane changes.
3. What is the primary function of progesterone in pregnancy?
A. Increases uterine contractions
B. Prevents spontaneous abortion by relaxing smooth muscle
C. Causes cervical ripening
D. Stimulates milk let-down
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Progesterone relaxes uterine smooth muscle to maintain pregnancy and reduces
airway resistance.
,ESTUDYR
4. Which list correctly identifies the three stages of prenatal development?
A. Embryo, fetus, neonate
B. Zygote, embryo, fetus
C. Ovum, blastocyst, fetus
D. Zygote, neonate, fetus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Development progresses from zygote → embryo (weeks 2–8) → fetus (week 9 to
birth).
5. During which trimester is the fetus most vulnerable to teratogens?
A. Third
B. Second
C. First
D. Post-term
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Organogenesis occurs during the first trimester, making it the period of greatest
vulnerability.
6. Which infections are considered most toxic to the fetus?
A. HIV, hepatitis B, HSV
B. CMV, parvovirus, influenza
C. Rubella, syphilis, toxoplasmosis
D. Gonorrhea, chlamydia, HPV
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: These infections can cause severe congenital abnormalities, especially in early
pregnancy.
,ESTUDYR
7. Which fetal shunt connects the right and left atria?
A. Ductus arteriosus
B. Ductus venosus
C. Foramen ovale
D. Umbilical vein
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The foramen ovale allows blood to bypass fetal lungs by flowing between atria.
8. Which fetal shunt connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta?
A. Foramen ovale
B. Ductus arteriosus
C. Ductus venosus
D. Umbilical artery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This shunt diverts blood away from the lungs into systemic circulation.
9. What is the primary function of amniotic fluid?
A. Delivers nutrients
B. Removes fetal waste
C. Protects, cushions, allows movement, and maintains temperature
D. Produces hormones
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Amniotic fluid supports fetal development and protection.
10. Polyhydramnios is defined as:
A. Low amniotic fluid
B. Infection of fluid
C. Excessive amniotic fluid
D. Ruptured membranes
, ESTUDYR
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Polyhydramnios indicates too much fluid; oligohydramnios indicates too little.
11. What is the normal structure of the umbilical cord?
A. Two veins, one artery
B. One vein, one artery
C. Two arteries and one vein (AVA)
D. Three veins
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The vein carries oxygenated blood to the fetus; arteries return waste.
12. Braxton Hicks contractions are best described as:
A. Painful and regular
B. Progressive cervical dilation
C. Irregular, painless uterine contractions
D. Always indicate labor
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Braxton Hicks contractions are false labor contractions.
13. Which cardiovascular change occurs during pregnancy?
A. Decreased blood volume
B. Decreased heart rate
C. Hypervolemia with 50% increase in blood volume
D. Reduced clotting factors
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Increased blood volume supports placental perfusion and prepares for blood loss.
