Chapter 8 Physiological and Psychosocial Changes During Pregnancy

Chapter 8  Physiological and Psychosocial Changes During Pregnancy

Complete Chapter Questions And Answers
 

Sample Questions

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. The nurse has learned that which hormone is primarily responsible for maintaining a pregnancy?
A.
Estrogen
B.
Human chorionic gonadotropin
C.
Oxytocin
D.
Progesterone

ANS: D
Progesterone is the hormone primarily responsible for maintaining a pregnancy. Estrogen promotes hyperplasia and hypertrophy during pregnancy. After implantation, the trophoblast secretes human chorionic gonadotropin, which prompts the corpus luteum to continue progesterone production until the placenta takes over the job. Oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions during labor.

Cognitive Level: Knowledge/Remembering
Content Area: Pediatrics/Maternity
Patient Needs: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning
Difficulty: Easy

PTS: 1

2. A patient who is 28 weeks pregnant calls the obstetrical clinic and complains of irregular, painless contractions that last for 10 to 15 seconds. What response by the nurse is best?
A.
“If they last more than 60 seconds or become regular, come in.”
B.
“Oh, you are just having what are called Braxton Hicks contractions.”
C.
“Pregnant women often experience this type of contraction.”
D.
“You should come in to the clinic as soon as possible today.”

ANS: A
Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular and painless and last less than 60 seconds. Their function is to prepare the uterine muscles for effective labor. If they become regular or last longer than 60 seconds, the woman needs medical attention. The other statements all contain some truthful information, but none provides the woman with the knowledge she needs to remain healthy.

Cognitive Level: Comprehension/Understanding
Content Area: Pediatrics/Maternity
Patient Needs: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning
Difficulty: Easy

PTS: 1

3. The nurse caring for perinatal patients understands the term decidua to mean which of the following?
A.
Collateral uterine circulation
B.
Endometrial lining of the uterus
C.
Endometrial tissue covering the embryo
D.
Placental remnants left in the uterus

ANS: B
The decidua is the endometrium lining the uterus and consists of three layers. The decidua capsularis is the endometrial tissue that covers the embryo. Decidua does not refer to collateral circulation or placental remains.

Cognitive Level: Knowledge/Remembering
Content Area: Pediatrics/Maternity
Patient Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment
Difficulty: Easy

PTS: 1

4. A nurse is assessing a patient in the women’s clinic for Chadwick’s sign. How does the nurse perform this assessment?
A.
Auscultates the woman’s abdomen for fetal heart tones
B.
Inspects the vulva and vagina for a bluish tint
C.
Palpates the woman’s abdomen for a fluid wave
D.
Percusses the woman’s abdomen for uterine margins

ANS: B
Chadwick’s sign is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy and consists of a bluish discoloration of the cervix, vulva, and vagina. The nurse would inspect the woman for this discoloration.

Cognitive Level: Application/Applying
Content Area: Pediatrics/Maternity
Patient Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment
Difficulty: Moderate

PTS: 1

5. An instructor is explaining to students in the OB rotation that Goodell’s sign is which of the following?
A.
Bluish cervical discoloration
B.
Cervical softening
C.
False labor contractions
D.
Slowed fetal heart tones

ANS: B
Goodell’s sign is softening of the cervix that occurs due to hormonal influences. It is not related to fetal heart tones or contractions. Chadwick’s sign is a bluish discoloration of the cervix, vulva, and vagina.

Cognitive Level: Comprehension/Understanding
Content Area: Pediatrics/Maternity
Patient Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment
Difficulty: Moderate

PTS: 1