The nurse caring for the pregnant patient must understand that the hormone essential for maintaining pregnancy is:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: progesterone. Progesterone is essential for maintaining pregnancy as it helps in thickening the uterine lining to support implantation and fetal development. Estrogen (choice A) plays a role in preparing the uterus for implantation but is not the primary hormone for maintaining pregnancy. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (choice B) is produced by the placenta and helps in detecting pregnancy but does not maintain it. Oxytocin (choice C) is involved in labor and breastfeeding, not in maintaining pregnancy.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Full Term-Pregnancy from the beginning of week 39 of gestation to the end of week 40. This is accurate because full-term pregnancy typically ranges from 39 to 40 weeks of gestation, which is considered the optimal time for a baby to be born in terms of development and health. Viability (Choice A) refers to the ability of a fetus to survive outside the womb and typically occurs between 22 to 37 weeks. Preterm (Choice C) describes a pregnancy that occurs before 37 weeks. Postdate (Choice D) refers to a pregnancy that extends beyond 40 weeks. Therefore, Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not accurately describe the full-term stage of pregnancy.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Increased urinary frequency in the first trimester is due to exaggerated uterine anteflexion caused by softening. This is because the growing uterus exerts pressure on the bladder, leading to the need for more frequent urination. This is a common physiological change in early pregnancy due to the hormonal effects on the pelvic floor muscles and bladder capacity. A: Lightening typically occurs near the end of the third trimester, not the second trimester, as the baby drops lower into the pelvis in preparation for birth. C: Braxton Hicks contractions are typically painless and irregular in the third trimester, not more painful. Pain with exercise could indicate preterm labor. D: Uterine souffle refers to the sound of blood flow through the uterine arteries, not movement of the fetus.

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.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because all the statements in choices A, B, and C are true regarding changes in the cardiovascular system during pregnancy. A: Pregnant women with disturbed cardiac rhythm, such as sinus arrhythmia, should be closely monitored as it can impact both the mother and the fetus, regardless of the mother's overall health status. B: Changes in heart size, position, and blood volume lead to auditory changes from 20 weeks to term, which is important for nurses to be aware of in order to monitor the cardiovascular health of pregnant patients. C: Palpitations are more likely to occur in twin gestations due to the increased demands on the cardiovascular system. In summary, all the changes mentioned in choices A, B, and C are common occurrences in pregnancy and it is crucial for maternity nurses to be aware of them in order to provide appropriate care and education to pregnant patients.