The nurse caring for the pregnant patient must understand that the hormone essential for maintaining pregnancy is:
- A. estrogen.
- B. human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
- C. oxytocin.
- D. progesterone.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Progesterone is essential for maintaining pregnancy; it does so by relaxing smooth muscles. This reduces uterine activity and prevents miscarriage.
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The vagina is:
- A. Used to fertilise an ovum before moving onto the fallopian tubes
- B. A mass of glandular tissue situated over the pectoral muscles
- C. An elastic muscular tube, connecting the cervix to the uterus
- D. Used to stop the menstrual flow from leaving the body
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The vagina is a muscular tube that connects the cervix to the external genitalia, serving as a passage for menstrual flow and childbirth.
Which statement about a condition of pregnancy is accurate?
- A. Insufficient salivation (ptyalism) is caused by increases in estrogen.
- B. Acid indigestion (pyrosis) begins early but declines throughout pregnancy.
- C. Hyperthyroidism often develops (temporarily) because hormone production increases.
- D. Nausea and vomiting rarely have harmful effects on the fetus and may be beneficial.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because hyperthyroidism can indeed develop during pregnancy due to the increase in hormone production, specifically human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulating the thyroid gland. This can lead to symptoms such as weight loss, anxiety, and palpitations. Other choices are incorrect because A is false - ptyalism is actually linked to progesterone levels, not estrogen. B is incorrect because acid indigestion tends to worsen as pregnancy progresses, not decline. D is incorrect as severe nausea and vomiting, known as hyperemesis gravidarum, can have harmful effects on both the mother and fetus if not properly managed.
Which is a diagnosis that the nurse is legally responsible to report?
- A. Bronchiolitis
- B. Sexually transmitted infections
- C. Acute otitis media
- D. Strep throat
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nurses are legally obligated to report certain communicable diseases, including sexually transmitted infections, to public health authorities to prevent further spread.
Lactation is the process of a woman producing:
- A. Sperm
- B. Urine
- C. Milk
- D. Water
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lactation is the production and secretion of milk by the mammary glands to nourish an infant.
The mucous plug that forms in the endocervical canal is called the:
- A. operculum.
- B. leukorrhe
- C. funic souffle
- D. ballottement.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: operculum. The mucous plug in the endocervical canal is called the operculum because it acts as a protective barrier to prevent pathogens from entering the uterus during pregnancy. This plug seals the cervix to protect the developing fetus. The other choices are incorrect because leukorrhea (choice B) refers to vaginal discharge, funic souffle (choice C) is a term related to fetal heart sounds, and ballottement (choice D) is a physical examination technique used to assess for floating objects in the uterus.