Chapter 8: PhysŤologŤcal Search …
and PsychosocŤal Changes
DurŤng Pregnancy NursŤng
School Test Banks
Chapter 8: Physiological and Psychosocial Changes During
Pregnancy
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse has learned that which hormone is primarily
responsible for maintaining a pregnancy?
A. Estrogen
B. Human chorionic gonadotropin
C. Oxytocin
D. Progesterone
ANS: D
Progesterone is the hormone primarily responsible for
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,maintaining a pregnancy. Estrogen promotes hyperplasia
and hypertrophy during pregnancy. After implantation, the
trophoblast secretes human chorionic gonadotropin, which
prompts the corpus luteum to continue progesterone
production until the placenta takes over the job. Oxytocin
stimulates uterine contractions during labor.
Cognitive Level: Knowledge/Remembering
Content Area: Pediatrics/Maternity
Patient Needs: Physiological Integrity: Physiological
Adaptation
Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning
Difficulty: Easy
PTS: 1
2. A patient who is 28 weeks pregnant calls the obstetrical
clinic and complains of irregular, painless contractions that
last for 10 to 15 seconds. What response by the nurse is
best?
A. If they last more than 60 seconds or become regular,
come in.
B. Oh, you are just having what are called Braxton Hicks
contractions.
C. Pregnant women often experience this type of
contraction.
D. You should come in to the clinic as soon as possible
today.
ANS: A
Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular and painless and
last less than 60 seconds. Their function is to prepare the
uterine muscles for effective labor. If they become regular
or last longer than 60 seconds, the woman needs medical
attention. The other statements all contain some truthful
information, but none provides the woman with the
knowledge she needs to remain healthy.
Cognitive Level: Comprehension/Understanding
Content Area: Pediatrics/Maternity
Patient Needs: Physiological Integrity: Physiological
Adaptation
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, Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning
Difficulty: Easy
PTS: 1
3. The nurse caring for perinatal patients understands the
term decidua to mean which of the following?
A. Collateral uterine circulation
B. Endometrial lining of the uterus
C. Endometrial tissue covering the embryo
D. Placental remnants left in the uterus
ANS: B
The decidua is the endometrium lining the uterus and
consists of three layers. The decidua capsularis is the
endometrial tissue that covers the embryo. Decidua does
not refer to collateral circulation or placental remains.
Cognitive Level: Knowledge/Remembering
Content Area: Pediatrics/Maternity
Patient Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment
Difficulty: Easy
PTS: 1
4. A nurse is assessing a patient in the womens clinic for
Chadwicks sign. How does the nurse perform this
assessment?
A. Auscultates the womans abdomen for fetal heart tones
B. Inspects the vulva and vagina for a bluish tint
C. Palpates the womans abdomen for a fluid wave
D. Percusses the womans abdomen for uterine margins
ANS: B
Chadwicks sign is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy
and consists of a bluish discoloration of the cervix, vulva,
and vagina. The nurse would inspect the woman for this
discoloration.
Cognitive Level: Application/Applying
Content Area: Pediatrics/Maternity
Patient Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment
Difficulty: Moderate
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and PsychosocŤal Changes
DurŤng Pregnancy NursŤng
School Test Banks
Chapter 8: Physiological and Psychosocial Changes During
Pregnancy
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse has learned that which hormone is primarily
responsible for maintaining a pregnancy?
A. Estrogen
B. Human chorionic gonadotropin
C. Oxytocin
D. Progesterone
ANS: D
Progesterone is the hormone primarily responsible for
1/26
,maintaining a pregnancy. Estrogen promotes hyperplasia
and hypertrophy during pregnancy. After implantation, the
trophoblast secretes human chorionic gonadotropin, which
prompts the corpus luteum to continue progesterone
production until the placenta takes over the job. Oxytocin
stimulates uterine contractions during labor.
Cognitive Level: Knowledge/Remembering
Content Area: Pediatrics/Maternity
Patient Needs: Physiological Integrity: Physiological
Adaptation
Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning
Difficulty: Easy
PTS: 1
2. A patient who is 28 weeks pregnant calls the obstetrical
clinic and complains of irregular, painless contractions that
last for 10 to 15 seconds. What response by the nurse is
best?
A. If they last more than 60 seconds or become regular,
come in.
B. Oh, you are just having what are called Braxton Hicks
contractions.
C. Pregnant women often experience this type of
contraction.
D. You should come in to the clinic as soon as possible
today.
ANS: A
Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular and painless and
last less than 60 seconds. Their function is to prepare the
uterine muscles for effective labor. If they become regular
or last longer than 60 seconds, the woman needs medical
attention. The other statements all contain some truthful
information, but none provides the woman with the
knowledge she needs to remain healthy.
Cognitive Level: Comprehension/Understanding
Content Area: Pediatrics/Maternity
Patient Needs: Physiological Integrity: Physiological
Adaptation
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, Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning
Difficulty: Easy
PTS: 1
3. The nurse caring for perinatal patients understands the
term decidua to mean which of the following?
A. Collateral uterine circulation
B. Endometrial lining of the uterus
C. Endometrial tissue covering the embryo
D. Placental remnants left in the uterus
ANS: B
The decidua is the endometrium lining the uterus and
consists of three layers. The decidua capsularis is the
endometrial tissue that covers the embryo. Decidua does
not refer to collateral circulation or placental remains.
Cognitive Level: Knowledge/Remembering
Content Area: Pediatrics/Maternity
Patient Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment
Difficulty: Easy
PTS: 1
4. A nurse is assessing a patient in the womens clinic for
Chadwicks sign. How does the nurse perform this
assessment?
A. Auscultates the womans abdomen for fetal heart tones
B. Inspects the vulva and vagina for a bluish tint
C. Palpates the womans abdomen for a fluid wave
D. Percusses the womans abdomen for uterine margins
ANS: B
Chadwicks sign is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy
and consists of a bluish discoloration of the cervix, vulva,
and vagina. The nurse would inspect the woman for this
discoloration.
Cognitive Level: Application/Applying
Content Area: Pediatrics/Maternity
Patient Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment
Difficulty: Moderate
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