ATI RN
Conception and Fetal Development NCLEX Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
Sally comes in for her first prenatal examination. This is her first child. She asks you (the nurse), 'How does my baby get air inside my uterus?' The correct response is:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C) The placenta provides oxygen to the baby and excretes carbon dioxide into your bloodstream. During pregnancy, the placenta acts as a bridge between the mother and the developing fetus, allowing for the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products. Oxygen from the mother's bloodstream diffuses into the placenta and is then transferred to the fetal bloodstream through the umbilical cord. The placenta also removes carbon dioxide produced by the fetus and releases it into the mother's bloodstream for elimination. Option A is incorrect because while the baby's lungs do develop in utero, they are not functional for gas exchange until birth. Option B is incorrect as the baby does not directly absorb oxygen from the mother's blood system. Option D is incorrect as the oxygen-rich blood from the placenta is delivered through the umbilical vein, not the umbilical artery, to the baby's abdomen where it then circulates throughout the fetal body. Understanding the role of the placenta in gas exchange is crucial for prenatal care providers as it impacts fetal development and maternal-fetal health. Educating expectant mothers about this process helps them comprehend the importance of maintaining a healthy placenta through proper prenatal care and monitoring.
Question 2 of 5
A new mother asks the nurse about the 'white substance' covering her infant. The nurse explains that the purpose of vernix caseosa is to:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A) Protect the fetal skin from amniotic fluid. Vernix caseosa is a white, cheese-like substance that covers the skin of the fetus in utero. It serves as a protective barrier, preventing the amniotic fluid from irritating the delicate fetal skin. This is crucial as the amniotic fluid contains waste products and can be abrasive. By providing this protection, vernix caseosa helps maintain the integrity and health of the fetal skin during development. Option B) Promote normal peripheral nervous system development is incorrect because vernix caseosa primarily functions as a protective barrier for the skin and does not have a direct role in nervous system development. Option C) Allow transport of oxygen and nutrients across the amnion is incorrect as the function of the amnion itself is to facilitate the exchange of oxygen and nutrients, not vernix caseosa. Option D) Regulate fetal temperature is incorrect because while vernix caseosa can help with insulation, its primary role is to protect the skin rather than directly regulate temperature. In an educational context, understanding the function of vernix caseosa is important for nurses and healthcare professionals working with newborns to provide appropriate care and education to parents. By knowing that vernix caseosa acts as a protective barrier, healthcare providers can explain its importance to new parents and ensure proper newborn skin care practices are followed.
Question 3 of 5
An expectant father asks the nurse, “Which part of the mature sperm contains the male chromosome?” What is the correct response by the nurse?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct response is C: The head of the sperm. The head of the sperm contains the genetic material, including the male chromosome (Y chromosome). This is where the genetic information determining the sex of the offspring is located. The tail of the sperm is responsible for movement, not genetic material. X-bearing sperm would contain the female chromosome, not the male chromosome. The middle portion of the sperm does not specifically contain the genetic material related to determining the sex of the offspring.
Question 4 of 5
The upper uterus is the best place for the fertilized ovum to implant due to which anatomical adaptation?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the upper uterus provides the developing baby with the best nourishment due to increased blood flow and nutrient supply. This area allows for optimal growth and development of the fetus. Maternal blood flow is higher in the upper uterus, not lower (A). While the placenta attaches firmly in the upper uterus, it is not the main reason for the implantation site (B). The uterine endometrium is softer in the lower uterus, not the upper, making choice C incorrect. In summary, the upper uterus is ideal for implantation due to increased nourishment for the developing baby, making choice D the correct answer.
Question 5 of 5
An expectant mother, diagnosed with oligohydramnios, asks the nurse what this condition means for the baby. Which statement should the nurse provide for the patient?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Oligohydramnios can cause poor fetal lung development. Oligohydramnios refers to a condition where there is a decreased amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus. This can result in compression of the fetus leading to poor lung development. Reduced amniotic fluid levels can also increase the risk of umbilical cord compression and fetal growth restriction. Option B is incorrect as oligohydramnios actually indicates a decreased production of amniotic fluid, not excessive urine excretion by the fetus. Option C is incorrect as oligohydramnios is not directly related to gastrointestinal blockage in the fetus. Option D is incorrect as oligohydramnios is primarily associated with fetal lung and renal abnormalities, not central nervous system abnormalities.