Nokea
A new mother asks the nurse about the 'white substance' covering her infant. The nurse explains that the purpose of vernix caseosa is to:
- A. Protect the fetal skin from amniotic fluid.
- B. Promote normal peripheral nervous system development.
- C. Allow transport of oxygen and nutrients across the amnion.
- D. Regulate fetal temperature.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Vernix caseosa protects the fetal skin from prolonged exposure to amniotic fluid.
You may also like to solve these questions
What is the function of the yolk sac in early pregnancy?
- A. Provides antibodies to the developing fetus
- B. Produces blood cells for the fetus
- C. Secretes hormones needed to support the pregnancy
- D. Becomes the placenta
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because the yolk sac in early pregnancy produces blood cells for the fetus. This is essential for the fetus's development as it helps in the formation of the circulatory system. The other choices are incorrect because:
A: Providing antibodies to the developing fetus is typically done by the placenta, not the yolk sac.
C: Hormones needed to support the pregnancy are mainly secreted by the placenta and other maternal structures, not the yolk sac.
D: The yolk sac does not become the placenta; they are two distinct structures with different functions.
What is the purpose of maternal assays and multiple marker screenings performed in the first trimester of pregnancy?
- A. to determine the gender of the fetus
- B. to assess the risk of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus
- C. to monitor the growth and development of the placenta
- D. to detect any potential maternal infections
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: to assess the risk of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. Maternal assays and multiple marker screenings in the first trimester are used to evaluate the risk of conditions like Down syndrome. These tests measure levels of certain proteins and hormones in the mother's blood to assess the likelihood of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because determining the gender of the fetus, monitoring placental growth, and detecting maternal infections are not the primary purposes of these screenings in the first trimester.
What are functions of the placenta?
- A. Produces the hormones estrogen, progesterone, and relaxin.
- B. None
- C. Feeds the foetus.
- D. None
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The placenta produces hormones and stores nutrients for fetal use.
The nurse is providing education to a pregnant person at 10 weeks’ gestation who is experiencing nausea and vomiting. The nurse is aware the nausea and vomiting are due to which hormone produced by the placenta?
- A. relaxin
- B. human chorionic gonadotropin
- C. human placental lactogen
- D. luteinizing hormone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). At 10 weeks' gestation, hCG is the hormone produced by the placenta responsible for nausea and vomiting, known as morning sickness. hCG levels peak around this time, coinciding with the onset of these symptoms. Relaxin (A), human placental lactogen (C), and luteinizing hormone (D) are not directly associated with causing nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.
Fewer fetal movements than expected suggest possible:
- A. Intrauterine fetal growth restriction.
- B. Inaccurate gestational age dating.
- C. Rapid intrauterine fetal maturation.
- D. Reduced placental perfusion with fetal hypoxia.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Reduced placental perfusion or fetal hypoxia can lead to fewer fetal movements.