Chapter 4: Conception and Fetal Development

Contemporary: Maternal-Newborn Nursing Care Ninth Edition Chapter 4 Conception and Fetal Development Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2010 Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Question One The nurse is preparing an educational workshop on fetal development. Which statement by the student would require the nurse to explain the content further? Question One Choices “Fetal movement causes the umbilical cord to knot.” “The average cord length at term is 22 inches.” “The umbilical cord is made of two veins and one artery.” “The high blood volume and Wharton jelly content of the umbilical cord prevents compression of the cord.” Question One Answer “The umbilical cord is made of two arteries and one vein.” Question One Rationale A nuchal cord exists when the umbilical cord encircles the fetal neck. Fetal movement causes the umbilical cord to knot. The umbilical cord is made of two arteries and one vein. The high blood volume and Wharton jelly content of the umbilical cord prevents compression of the cord. Question Two A nurse is instructing students where to listen for a uterine souffle. Each student has placed the fetoscope on the pregnant women’s abdomen. Based on the following placements of the fetoscopes, the student most likely to hear a uterine souffle is the one who placed the fetoscope on which of the following areas? Question Two Choices Under the area of the umbilical cord of the fetus Just above the symphysis pubis Over the area of the umbilical cord of the fetus Just below the symphysis pubis Question Two Answer Just above the symphysis pubis Question Two Rationale A uterine souffle is best heard just above the mother’s symphysis pubis. There are no specific placental circulatory sounds that can be heard under the area of the umbilical cord of the fetus. A funic souffle can be heard over the area of the umbilical cord of the fetus in late pregnancy. There are no specific placental circulatory sounds that can be heard in the area just below the symphysis pubis. Question Three A pregnant client is concerned about a blow to the abdomen if she continues to play basketball during her pregnancy. The nurse’s response is based upon her knowledge of which of the following facts concerning amniotic fluid? Question Three Choices The total amount of amniotic fluid during pregnancy is 300 m L. Amniotic fluid functions as a cushion to protect against mechanical injury. The fetus does not contribute to the production of amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid is slightly acidic. Question Three Answer Amniotic fluid functions as a cushion to protect against mechanical injury. Question Three Rationale During pregnancy, the amniotic fluid protects against injury. After 20 weeks of pregnancy, fluid volume ranges from 700–1000 m L. Some of the amniotic fluid is contributed by the fetus’s excreting urine. Amniotic fluid is slightly alkaline. Question Four A nurse is teaching a couple about the process of fertilization. Which statement by the couple would indicate an understanding of fertilization? Question Four Choices “Fertilization takes place in the fimbria (outer third) of the fallopian tube.” “Fertilization takes place in the uterine cavity.” “Fertilization takes place in the isthmus (inner third) of the fallopian tube.” “Fertilization takes place in the ampulla (outer third) of the fallopian tube.” Question Four Answer “Fertilization takes place in the ampulla (outer third) of the fallopian tube.” Question Four Rationale The process of fertilization takes place in the ampulla (outer third) of the fallopian tube. The fimbrium is a funnel-like enlargement with many finger-like projections reaching out to the ovary at the end of the fallopian tube. The isthmus is the straight and narrow portion of the inner third of the fallopian tube, and it opens into the uterus; this is the site for tubal ligation. Question Five The nurse explains to the client that during the pregnancy, the fetus is most vulnerable to hazardous agents during which time frame? Question Five Choices First trimester Second trimester Third trimester No specific time frame Question Five Answer First trimester Question Five Rationale Because organs are formed primarily during embryonic development, the growing organism is considered most vulnerable to hazardous agents during the first trimester of pregnancy. Copyright