The nurse caring for the pregnant patient understands that the hormone essential for maintaining pregnancy is:
Estrogen
Oxytocin
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
Progesterone
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Estrogen is not the hormone essential for maintaining pregnancy. Estrogen is a hormone that stimulates the growth and development of the female reproductive organs, the breasts, and the placenta. Estrogen also increases the blood flow and the uterine contractility during pregnancy. However, estrogen alone is not sufficient to sustain the pregnancy, as it needs to be balanced by progesterone.
Choice B rationale
Oxytocin is not the hormone essential for maintaining pregnancy. Oxytocin is a hormone that stimulates the contraction of the uterine and the mammary glands. Oxytocin plays a role in the initiation and the progression of labor, as well as in the milk ejection during breastfeeding. However, oxytocin is not involved in the maintenance of the pregnancy, as it can cause premature labor if released too early.
Choice C rationale
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is not the hormone essential for maintaining pregnancy. hCG is a hormone that is produced by the placenta and the embryo. hCG supports the corpus luteum, which is the structure that produces progesterone in the early pregnancy. hCG also prevents the immune system from rejecting the fetus, and stimulates the production of other hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone. However, hCG is not the main hormone that maintains the pregnancy, as its levels decline after the first trimester, when the placenta takes over the production of progesterone.
Choice D rationale
Progesterone is the hormone essential for maintaining pregnancy. Progesterone is a hormone that prepares the endometrium, which is the lining of the uterus, for the implantation of the fertilized egg. Progesterone also maintains the pregnancy by preventing the uterine contractions and the immune response against the fetus. Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum in the early pregnancy, and by the placenta in the later pregnancy.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
This is correct because a client who has a diagnosis of preeclampsia reports epigastric pain and unresolved headache is the most urgent finding. These are signs of severe preeclampsia, which can progress to eclampsia, a life-threatening condition that involves seizures, coma, and organ damage. The nurse should report this finding to the provider immediately and prepare for the delivery of the fetus and the administration of magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures.
Choice B rationale
This is incorrect because a client who has a diagnosis of preeclampsia has 2+ proteinuria and 2+ patellar reflexes is not the most urgent finding. These are signs of mild preeclampsia, which can be managed with close monitoring, bed rest, and antihypertensive medications. The nurse should report this finding to the provider, but it is not an emergency.
Choice C rationale
This is incorrect because a client who is at 28 weeks of gestation and receiving terbutaline reports fine tremors is not the most urgent finding. These are side effects of terbutaline, a medication that is used to stop preterm labor by relaxing the uterine muscles. The nurse should assess the client's vital signs, blood glucose, and fetal heart rate, and report any abnormal findings to the provider. The nurse should also reassure the client that the tremors are temporary and will subside when the medication is discontinued.
Choice D rationale
This is incorrect because a tearful client who is at 32 weeks of gestation and is experiencing irregular, frequent contractions is not the most urgent finding. These are signs of preterm labor, which can be treated with tocolytic medications, such as terbutaline, to delay the delivery until the fetus is more mature. The nurse should assess the client's cervical dilation, fetal heart rate, and amniotic fluid, and report any abnormal findings to the provider. The nurse should also provide emotional support and education to the client.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
This option incorrectly counts the number of term births and preterm births. The woman has had one term birth (at 39 weeks) and two preterm births (twins at 34 weeks and another child at 35 weeks).
Choice B rationale
This option incorrectly counts the number of pregnancies and term births. The woman has been pregnant four times, not three, and she has had one term birth, not one.
Choice C rationale
This option incorrectly counts the number of pregnancies, term births, and preterm births. The woman has been pregnant four times, not three, and she has had one term birth and two preterm births, not three.
Choice D rationale
This is the correct option. The woman has been pregnant four times (Gravida = 4). She has had one term birth (Term = 1), two preterm births (Preterm = 2), no abortions (Abortions = 0), and four living children (Living = 4)¹².
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