Nursing 328 Final Exam Questionswith
Answers 2025.
Why do external reproductive structures enlarge during pregnancy? - ANSWER- D/t
increased vascularity.
Nipples enlarge, become more erectile and darken. Breasts are fuller and heavier. As
blood vessels enlarge, veins beneath the skin of the breasts become more visible.
Cervix softens, takes on bluish colour during second month due to increased
vasculature as well
What does estrogen and progesterone cause? - ANSWER- The uterus to lengthen and
enlarge
What organ produces estrogen and progesterone until the placenta is formed and
functioning? - ANSWER- The corpus luteum
What is leukorrhea? - ANSWER- White, thick, odourless and acidic vaginal secretions
which increase. The acidity helps prevent bacterial infections but can increase yeast
infections
What hormones does the placenta secrete? - ANSWER- hCG, hPL, relaxin and
prostaglandins,
progesterone and estrogen
What does hPL stand for? - ANSWER- human placental lactogen but AKA human
chorionic somatomammotropin
What does hPL do? - ANSWER- Promotes fat breakdown, providing the pt with an
alternative source of energy so that glucose is available for fetal growth.
What other hormones have an impact on the action of insulin? - ANSWER- Estrogen
Progesterone
Cortisol
hPL
resulting in increased insulin need throughout pregnancy
What do prostaglandins do during pregnancy? - ANSWER- Affect smooth muscle
contractility to such an extent that they may trigger labour at pregnancy's term
What can high levels of estrogen and progesterone do in relation to the pituitary gland?
- ANSWER- stop the pituitary gland from producing follicle-stimulating hormone and
, luteinizing hormone. Increased production of growth hormone and melanocyte-
stimulating hormone causes skin pigment changes
How is the thyroid gland affected during pregnancy? - ANSWER- the thyroid gland's
production of thyroxin binding protein increases causing total thyroxine (T4) levels to
rise. Bc of the amount of unbound T4 doesn't increase, these thyroid changes don't
cause hyperthyroidism; however, they increase BMR, CO, HR, vasodilation and heat
intolerance.
How much does BMR increase during the second and third trimesters? - ANSWER-
20% as the growing fetus places additional demands for energy.
Does the adrenal gland change during pregnancy? - ANSWER- Yes, it increases
production of corticosteroid and aldosterone increases which increases fluid retention in
case of PPH and to have a larger circulating blood volume to get nutrients to fetus.
What does the pancreas do in response to additional glucocorticoids being produced? -
ANSWER- Increases insulin production
How is the resp system changed during pregnancy? - ANSWER- Diaphragm rises,
preventing lungs from fully expanding so it compensates by increasing its outward
expansion. We have more thoracic breathing
How is the diaphragm able to expand outwards? - ANSWER- The progesterone relaxes
ligaments that join the rib cage
What effect can increased estrogen have on the resp system? - ANSWER- Can lead to
increased vascularity of upper resp tract. As a result, the pt may develop resp
congestion, voice changes and epistaxis as capillaries become engorged in the nose,
pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi and vocal cords.
How much more air do you breath in during pregnancy? - ANSWER- 30-40%
What can an elevated diaphragm cause? - ANSWER- Decreased functional residue
capacity, which contributes to hyperventilation.
How do mothers protect the fetus from excessive levels of CO2? - ANSWER-
Hyperventilation
Is the BP higher or lower in pregnancy? - ANSWER- In most woman, BP actually
decreases slightly during second trimester bc of the lowered peripheral resistances to
circulation that occurs as placenta rapidly expands.
Why does the heart enlarge during pregnancy? - ANSWER- Due to increased blood
volume and CO
Answers 2025.
Why do external reproductive structures enlarge during pregnancy? - ANSWER- D/t
increased vascularity.
Nipples enlarge, become more erectile and darken. Breasts are fuller and heavier. As
blood vessels enlarge, veins beneath the skin of the breasts become more visible.
Cervix softens, takes on bluish colour during second month due to increased
vasculature as well
What does estrogen and progesterone cause? - ANSWER- The uterus to lengthen and
enlarge
What organ produces estrogen and progesterone until the placenta is formed and
functioning? - ANSWER- The corpus luteum
What is leukorrhea? - ANSWER- White, thick, odourless and acidic vaginal secretions
which increase. The acidity helps prevent bacterial infections but can increase yeast
infections
What hormones does the placenta secrete? - ANSWER- hCG, hPL, relaxin and
prostaglandins,
progesterone and estrogen
What does hPL stand for? - ANSWER- human placental lactogen but AKA human
chorionic somatomammotropin
What does hPL do? - ANSWER- Promotes fat breakdown, providing the pt with an
alternative source of energy so that glucose is available for fetal growth.
What other hormones have an impact on the action of insulin? - ANSWER- Estrogen
Progesterone
Cortisol
hPL
resulting in increased insulin need throughout pregnancy
What do prostaglandins do during pregnancy? - ANSWER- Affect smooth muscle
contractility to such an extent that they may trigger labour at pregnancy's term
What can high levels of estrogen and progesterone do in relation to the pituitary gland?
- ANSWER- stop the pituitary gland from producing follicle-stimulating hormone and
, luteinizing hormone. Increased production of growth hormone and melanocyte-
stimulating hormone causes skin pigment changes
How is the thyroid gland affected during pregnancy? - ANSWER- the thyroid gland's
production of thyroxin binding protein increases causing total thyroxine (T4) levels to
rise. Bc of the amount of unbound T4 doesn't increase, these thyroid changes don't
cause hyperthyroidism; however, they increase BMR, CO, HR, vasodilation and heat
intolerance.
How much does BMR increase during the second and third trimesters? - ANSWER-
20% as the growing fetus places additional demands for energy.
Does the adrenal gland change during pregnancy? - ANSWER- Yes, it increases
production of corticosteroid and aldosterone increases which increases fluid retention in
case of PPH and to have a larger circulating blood volume to get nutrients to fetus.
What does the pancreas do in response to additional glucocorticoids being produced? -
ANSWER- Increases insulin production
How is the resp system changed during pregnancy? - ANSWER- Diaphragm rises,
preventing lungs from fully expanding so it compensates by increasing its outward
expansion. We have more thoracic breathing
How is the diaphragm able to expand outwards? - ANSWER- The progesterone relaxes
ligaments that join the rib cage
What effect can increased estrogen have on the resp system? - ANSWER- Can lead to
increased vascularity of upper resp tract. As a result, the pt may develop resp
congestion, voice changes and epistaxis as capillaries become engorged in the nose,
pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi and vocal cords.
How much more air do you breath in during pregnancy? - ANSWER- 30-40%
What can an elevated diaphragm cause? - ANSWER- Decreased functional residue
capacity, which contributes to hyperventilation.
How do mothers protect the fetus from excessive levels of CO2? - ANSWER-
Hyperventilation
Is the BP higher or lower in pregnancy? - ANSWER- In most woman, BP actually
decreases slightly during second trimester bc of the lowered peripheral resistances to
circulation that occurs as placenta rapidly expands.
Why does the heart enlarge during pregnancy? - ANSWER- Due to increased blood
volume and CO
