A nurse is providing education to a pregnant client about the hormonal changes during pregnancy.

Which hormone is responsible for maintaining the corpus luteum and stimulating fetal growth ?

Increased renal blood flow is responsible for the increased urinary output during pregnancy.

This is because the renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate increase by 50% to 80% during pregnancy, resulting in more urine production.

Choice A is wrong because the glomerular filtration rate increases, not decreases, during pregnancy.

Choice B is wrong because the tubular reabsorption decreases, not increases, during pregnancy.

This is due to the increased levels of progesterone, which inhibit sodium reabsorption and cause diuresis.

Choice D is wrong because the increased plasma volume is a consequence, not a cause, of the increased renal blood flow.

The plasma volume expands by 30% to 50% during pregnancy to meet the increased metabolic demands of the mother and fetus.

Prolactin is a hormone that is responsible for inhibiting ovulation and stimulating milk production during pregnancy.

It is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and increases throughout pregnancy.

Choice A is wrong because hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a hormone that is produced by the placenta and maintains the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone and estrogen.

hCG does not inhibit ovulation or stimulate milk production.

Choice B is wrong because progesterone is a hormone that is produced by the corpus luteum and the placenta and supports the endometrium, prevents uterine contractions, and prepares the breasts for lactation.

Progesterone does not inhibit ovulation or stimulate milk production.

Choice C is wrong because estrogen is a hormone that is produced by the corpus luteum and the placenta and stimulates uterine growth, blood flow, and breast duct development.

Estrogen does not inhibit ovulation or stimulate milk production.