NUR 254 Exams 1, 2, 3 & 4 | Galen
College | Complete Maternal
& Pediatric Nursing 400 Questions with
Answers & Rationales
EXAM 1: Antepartum Nursing & Fetal Development (Questions 1–100)
Section 1A: Reproductive Anatomy & Physiology (Questions 1–20)
1. The nurse is teaching a group of adolescent females about the menstrual
cycle. Which hormone is responsible for ovulation?
A) Estrogen
B) Progesterone
C) Luteinizing hormone (LH)
D) Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Answer: C) Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Rationale: A surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers ovulation
approximately 24-36 hours after the surge begins. FSH stimulates
follicle growth, and estrogen thickens the endometrium.
2. A nursing student is reviewing the phases of the menstrual cycle. The
secretory phase of the endometrium is primarily influenced by which
hormone?
A) Estrogen
B) Progesterone
,C) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
D) Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Answer: B) Progesterone
Rationale: After ovulation, the corpus luteum secretes progesterone,
which causes the endometrium to become secretory and prepared for
implantation.
3. The nurse is teaching a patient about fertilization. Where does fertilization
typically occur?
A) Fundus of the uterus
B) Ampulla of the fallopian tube
C) Cervical os
D) Ovarian cortex
Answer: B) Ampulla of the fallopian tube
Rationale: Fertilization typically occurs in the ampulla (outer third) of
the fallopian tube. The zygote then travels to the uterus for
implantation.
4. A patient asks the nurse about the function of the placenta. Which of the
following is a primary function of the placenta?
A) Produces human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
B) Provides oxygen and nutrients to the fetus
C) Removes fetal waste products
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
,Rationale: The placenta functions as the fetal lungs, kidneys, and
gastrointestinal tract, providing oxygen and nutrients, removing
waste, and producing hormones including hCG, estrogen, and
progesterone.
5. The nurse is reviewing fetal circulation. Which structure allows blood to
bypass the fetal lungs?
A) Ductus arteriosus
B) Foramen ovale
C) Ductus venosus
D) Both A and B
Answer: D) Both A and B
Rationale: The foramen ovale allows blood to bypass the lungs by
shunting from the right atrium to the left atrium. The ductus
arteriosus shunts blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta.
6. A nursing student is studying fetal circulation. The ductus venosus allows
blood to bypass which organ?
A) Lungs
B) Liver
C) Kidneys
D) Heart
Answer: B) Liver
Rationale: The ductus venosus shunts oxygenated blood from the
umbilical vein directly to the inferior vena cava, bypassing the fetal
liver.
, 7. The nurse is educating a pregnant patient about expected hormonal
changes. Which hormone is the basis for pregnancy tests?
A) Estrogen
B) Progesterone
C) Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
D) Human placental lactogen (hPL)
Answer: C) Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
Rationale: hCG is produced by the syncytiotrophoblast of the placenta
and is detectable in maternal serum and urine shortly after
implantation. It is the hormone detected by pregnancy tests.
8. A patient at 8 weeks gestation asks the nurse when the baby's heart will
start beating. The nurse responds that cardiac activity begins at
approximately:
A) 2 weeks
B) 3-4 weeks
C) 5-6 weeks
D) 8-10 weeks
Answer: B) 3-4 weeks
Rationale: Cardiac activity begins around 3-4 weeks gestation. It can
be visualized on ultrasound as early as 5-6 weeks.
9. The nurse is explaining fetal development to a group of pregnant women.
Which statement about the embryonic period is correct?
College | Complete Maternal
& Pediatric Nursing 400 Questions with
Answers & Rationales
EXAM 1: Antepartum Nursing & Fetal Development (Questions 1–100)
Section 1A: Reproductive Anatomy & Physiology (Questions 1–20)
1. The nurse is teaching a group of adolescent females about the menstrual
cycle. Which hormone is responsible for ovulation?
A) Estrogen
B) Progesterone
C) Luteinizing hormone (LH)
D) Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Answer: C) Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Rationale: A surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers ovulation
approximately 24-36 hours after the surge begins. FSH stimulates
follicle growth, and estrogen thickens the endometrium.
2. A nursing student is reviewing the phases of the menstrual cycle. The
secretory phase of the endometrium is primarily influenced by which
hormone?
A) Estrogen
B) Progesterone
,C) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
D) Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Answer: B) Progesterone
Rationale: After ovulation, the corpus luteum secretes progesterone,
which causes the endometrium to become secretory and prepared for
implantation.
3. The nurse is teaching a patient about fertilization. Where does fertilization
typically occur?
A) Fundus of the uterus
B) Ampulla of the fallopian tube
C) Cervical os
D) Ovarian cortex
Answer: B) Ampulla of the fallopian tube
Rationale: Fertilization typically occurs in the ampulla (outer third) of
the fallopian tube. The zygote then travels to the uterus for
implantation.
4. A patient asks the nurse about the function of the placenta. Which of the
following is a primary function of the placenta?
A) Produces human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
B) Provides oxygen and nutrients to the fetus
C) Removes fetal waste products
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
,Rationale: The placenta functions as the fetal lungs, kidneys, and
gastrointestinal tract, providing oxygen and nutrients, removing
waste, and producing hormones including hCG, estrogen, and
progesterone.
5. The nurse is reviewing fetal circulation. Which structure allows blood to
bypass the fetal lungs?
A) Ductus arteriosus
B) Foramen ovale
C) Ductus venosus
D) Both A and B
Answer: D) Both A and B
Rationale: The foramen ovale allows blood to bypass the lungs by
shunting from the right atrium to the left atrium. The ductus
arteriosus shunts blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta.
6. A nursing student is studying fetal circulation. The ductus venosus allows
blood to bypass which organ?
A) Lungs
B) Liver
C) Kidneys
D) Heart
Answer: B) Liver
Rationale: The ductus venosus shunts oxygenated blood from the
umbilical vein directly to the inferior vena cava, bypassing the fetal
liver.
, 7. The nurse is educating a pregnant patient about expected hormonal
changes. Which hormone is the basis for pregnancy tests?
A) Estrogen
B) Progesterone
C) Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
D) Human placental lactogen (hPL)
Answer: C) Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
Rationale: hCG is produced by the syncytiotrophoblast of the placenta
and is detectable in maternal serum and urine shortly after
implantation. It is the hormone detected by pregnancy tests.
8. A patient at 8 weeks gestation asks the nurse when the baby's heart will
start beating. The nurse responds that cardiac activity begins at
approximately:
A) 2 weeks
B) 3-4 weeks
C) 5-6 weeks
D) 8-10 weeks
Answer: B) 3-4 weeks
Rationale: Cardiac activity begins around 3-4 weeks gestation. It can
be visualized on ultrasound as early as 5-6 weeks.
9. The nurse is explaining fetal development to a group of pregnant women.
Which statement about the embryonic period is correct?
