Chapter 22: Reproductive System

The nurse is collecting data from a pregnant client when the client asks the nurse about the purpose of the fallopian tubes. Which is the accurate response the nurse would make? 1. The organ of copulation 2. Where the fetus develops 3. Where fertilization occurs 4. The organ that secretes estrogen and progesterone

3 Rationale: Each fallopian tube is a hollow muscular tube that transports a mature oocyte for final maturation and fertilization. Fertilization typically occurs near the boundary between the ampulla and the isthmus of the tube. The vagina is the organ of copulation, and the fetus develops in the uterus. Estrogen is a hormone that is produced by the ovarian follicles, the corpus luteum, the adrenal cortex, and the placenta during pregnancy. Progesterone is a hormone that is secreted by the corpus luteum of the ovary, the adrenal glands, and the placenta during pregnancy. Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the subject, anatomy and physiology of the female reproductive system, which will direct you to the correct option. Remember that fertilization occurs in the fallopian tube.

The nursing student is asked to describe the size of the uterus in a nonpregnant client. Which response indicates an understanding of the anatomy of this structure? 1. "The uterus weighs about 2 ounces." 2. "The uterus weighs about 2.2 pounds." 3. "The uterus has a capacity of about 50 milliliters." 4. "The uterus is round in shape and weighs approximately 1000 grams."

1 Rationale: Before conception, the uterus is a small, pear-shaped organ that is contained entirely in the pelvic cavity. Before pregnancy, the uterus weighs approximately 60 g (2 oz) and it has a capacity of about 10 mL (⅓oz). At the end of pregnancy, the uterus weighs approximately 1000 g (2.2 lb) and it has a capacity that is sufficient for the fetus, the placenta, and the amniotic fluid. Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the subject, size of the uterus, and note the word, nonpregnant. Visualizing each of the items identified in the options will direct you to the correct answer.

The nurse working in a prenatal clinic reviews a client's chart and notes that the primary health care provider documents that the client has a gynecoid pelvis. The nurse plans care understanding that which findings are characteristic of this type of pelvis? Select all that apply. 1. Round shape 2. Shallow depth 3. Narrow pubic arch 4. Diagonal conjugate measures 12.5 to 13 cm 5. Blunt, somewhat widely separated ischial spines

1, 4, 5 Rationale: A gynecoid pelvis is a normal female pelvis, and it is the most favorable for successful labor and birth. Characteristics of a gynecoid pelvis include a round shape, blunted ischial spines that are widely separated, a diagonal conjugate of at least 12.5 to 13 cm, a wide pelvic arch, and an adequate depth. Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the subject, knowledge regarding pelvic types, to answer this question. Remember that the gynecoid pelvis is the normal female pelvis.

The nurse is describing the process of fetal circulation to a client during a prenatal visit. The nurse needs to tell the client that fetal circulation consists of which components? 1. Two umbilical veins and one umbilical artery 2. Two umbilical arteries and one umbilical vein 3. Arteries that carry oxygenated blood to the fetus 4. Veins that carry deoxygenated blood to the fetus

2 Rationale: Blood pumped by the fetus's heart leaves the fetus through two umbilical arteries. After the blood is oxygenated, it is then returned by one umbilical vein. The umbilical arteries carry deoxygenated blood and waste products from the fetus, and the umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood and provides oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the subject, anatomy of fetal circulation. Remember that there are three umbilical vessels within an umbilical cord (two arteries and one vein).

couple comes to the family planning clinic and asks about sterilization procedures. Which question by the nurse helps determine whether this method of family planning is appropriate? 1. "Have either of you ever had surgery?" 2. "Do you plan to have any other children?" 3. "Do either of you have diabetes mellitus?" 4. "Do either of you have problems with high blood pressure?"

2 Rationale: Sterilization is a method of contraception for couples who have completed their families. It would be considered a permanent end to fertility because reversal surgery is not always successful. The nurse would ask the couple about their plans for having children in the future. Options 1, 3, and 4 are unrelated to this procedure. Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the subject, sterilization procedure. Noting the relationship between the word sterilization and the correct option will direct you to this answer.

The nurse is reinforcing teaching to a pregnant woman about the physiological effects and hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. The woman asks the nurse about the purpose of estrogen. The nurse bases the response on which purpose of estrogen? 1. It maintains the uterine lining for implantation. 2. It stimulates the metabolism of glucose and converts glucose to fat. 3. It stimulates uterine development to provide an environment for the fetus and stimulates the breasts to prepare for lactation. 4. It prevents the involution of the corpus luteum and maintains the production of progesterone until the placenta is formed.

3 Rationale: Estrogen stimulates uterine development to provide an environment for the fetus and it stimulates the breasts to prepare for lactation. Progesterone maintains the uterine lining for implantation and relaxes all smooth muscle. Human placental lactogen stimulates the metabolism of glucose and converts the glucose to fat. Human chorionic gonadotropin prevents the involution of the corpus luteum and maintains the production of progesterone until the placenta is formed. Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the subject, functions of various hormones related to pregnancy. Remember that estrogen stimulates uterine development to provide an environment for the fetus and that it stimulates the breasts to prepare for lactation.

During a prenatal visit, the nurse checks the fetal heart rate (FHR) of a client in the third trimester of pregnancy. The nurse determines that the FHR is normal if which heart rate is noted? 1. 80 beats per minute 2. 100 beats per minute 3. 150 beats per minute 4. 180 beats per minute

3 Rationale: Fetal heart rate depends on gestational age. It is normally 160 to 170 beats per minute during the first trimester, but it slows with fetal growth to 110 to 160 beats per minute near or at term. Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the subject, the fetal heart rate in the third trimester of pregnancy. Think about the physiology associated with cardiac structures in fetal development to answer correctly.

A nursing student is assigned to a client in labor. The nursing instructor asks the student to describe fetal circulation, specifically the ductus venosus. The instructor determines that the student understands the structure of the ductus venosus if the student states which about the ductus venosus? 1. Connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta 2. Is an opening between the right and left atria 3. Connects the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava 4. Connects the umbilical artery to the inferior vena cava

3 Rationale: The ductus venosus connects the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava. The foramen ovale is a temporary opening between the right and left atria. The ductus arteriosus joins the aorta and the pulmonary artery. Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the subject, fetal circulation. Recall the anatomy of the fetal circulation to answer this question. Remember that the ductus venosus connects the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava.

The client asks the nurse about the purpose of the placenta. The nurse plans to respond to the client knowing which about the placenta? 1. Cushions and protects the fetus 2. Maintains the body temperature of the fetus 3. Surrounds the fetus and allows for fetal movement 4. Provides an exchange of nutrients and waste products between the mother and the fetus

4 Rationale: The placenta provides an exchange of nutrients and waste products between the mother and the fetus. The amniotic fluid surrounds, cushions, and protects the fetus and allows for fetal movement. The amniotic fluid also maintains the body temperature of the fetus. Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the subject, the purpose of the placenta. This knowledge is required to answer this question. Remember that the placenta provides nutrients.

The nursing instructor asks a nursing student to list the functions of the amniotic fluid. The student needs further teaching if which responses are made? Select all that apply. 1. Allows for fetal movement 2. Is a measure of kidney function 3. Surrounds, cushions, and protects the fetus 4. Maintains the body temperature of the fetus 5. Prevents large particles such as bacteria from passing to the fetus 6. Provides an exchange of nutrients and waste products between the mother and the fetus

5, 6 Rationale: The amniotic fluid surrounds, cushions, and protects the fetus. The placenta, not the amniotic fluid, prevents large particles such as bacteria from passing to the fetus, and the placenta provides an exchange of nutrients and waste products between the mother and the fetus. Amniotic fluid allows the fetus to move freely, it maintains the body temperature of the fetus, and it helps to measure kidney function, because the amount of fluid is based on the amount of urination from the fetus. Test-Taking Strategy: Note the strategic words, needs further teaching. These words indicate a negative event query and ask you to select an option that is an incorrect statement regarding amniotic fluid. Think about the functions of the amniotic fluid to assist in answering correctly.