[Ex3] - C34 - AP

Question 1

34-1. A nurse recalls the major hormonal determinant of sexual differentiation in utero is:
a. estrogen.
b. progesterone.
c. growth hormone.
d. testosterone.

Answer 1

ANS: D
Testosterone is necessary for the genital tubercle to differentiate into male genitalia;
otherwise, female genitalia develop. Sexual differentiation in utero is not associated with
estrogen, progesterone, or growth hormone.

Question 2

34-2. The hormone that promotes breast development during puberty is:
a. progesterone.
b. prolactin.
c. oxytocin.
d. estradiol.

Answer 2

ANS: D
Estradiol promotes breast development. Breast development during puberty is not associated
with progesterone, prolactin, or oxytocin.

Question 3

34-3. Which body structure contains the openings to the vagina and urinary meatus?
a. Vestibule
b. Mons pubis
c. Introitus
d. Perineal body

Answer 3

ANS: A
The vestibule contains the vagina and the urinary meatus. The mons pubis is composed of
fatty layer over the pubic symphysis. The introitus is the vaginal orifice. The perineal body is
the area by the anus.

Question 4

34-4. During the years that a woman is more likely to be sexually active, the vagina mucosa is
protected from infection by:
a. the presence of autoantibodies.
b. an acidic pH.
c. low estrogen levels.
d. douching.

Answer 4

ANS: B
The acidic pH, not the presence of autoantibodies, protects the vaginal mucosa. This
protection is not associated with low levels of estrogen or with douching.

Question 5

34-5. Which term is used to describe the thick middle layer of the uterine wall?
a. Epithelial layer
b. Endometrium
c. Myometrium
d. Perimetrium

Answer 5

ANS: C
The myometrium, not the epithelial layer, is the thick, muscular middle layer. It is thickest at
the fundus, apparently to facilitate birth. The endometrium is composed of a functional layer
(superficial compact layer and spongy middle layer) and a basal layer. The perimetrium is the
outer layer.

Question 6

34-6. A nurse recalls the _____ is lined with columnar epithelial cells.
a. perimetrium
b. endocervical canal
c. myometrium
d. vagina

Answer 6

ANS: B
The endocervical canal does not have an endometrial layer, but it is lined with columnar
epithelial cells. The perimetrium is a serous membrane. The myometrium is a muscular layer.
The vagina is composed of epithelium.

Question 7

34-7. The female erectile organ that secretes smegma is called the:
a. introitus.
b. Bartholin glands.
c. clitoris.
d. labia minora.

Answer 7

ANS: C
The clitoris is a richly innervated erectile organ between labia minora; it is a small, cylindrical
structure having a visible glans and a shaft that lies beneath the skin. It secretes smegma.
Smegma secretion is not associated with the introitus, the Bartholin glands, or the labia
minora.

Question 8

34-8. Spinnbarkeit mucus is present during which stage of the menstrual cycle?
a. Follicular
b. Ovulation
c. Luteal
d. Menstrual

Answer 8

ANS: B
Spinnbarkeit mucus is present during ovulation. Spinnbarkeit mucus is not associated with the
follicular, the luteal, or menstrual stages of the menstrual cycle.

Question 9

34-9. Which term is used to describe the duct that carries the ovum from the ovary to the uterus?
a. Isthmus
b. Corpus
c. Endocervical canal
d. Fallopian tube

Answer 9

ANS: D

The duct that carries the ovum is the fallopian tube. The isthmus is a portion of the cervix.
The corpus is the body of the uterus. The endocervical canal is the area between the internal
and external os of the cervix.

Question 10

34-10. Progesterone is referred to as “the hormone of pregnancy” because it:
a. stimulates lactation.
b. increases ciliary action in the fallopian tubes.
c. thins the endometrium.
d. prevents smooth muscle contraction of the uterus.

Answer 10

ANS: D
Progesterone is sometimes called the hormone of pregnancy because it relaxes smooth muscle
in the myometrium, which prevents premature contractions and helps the uterus to expand.
Progesterone does not stimulate lactation, increase ciliary action in the fallopian tubes, or thin
the endometrium.

Question 11

34-11. Endometrial thickening during the proliferative phase is stimulated by increased levels of:
a. estrogen.
b. progesterone.
c. FSH.
d. inhibin.

Answer 11

ANS: A
Estrogen, not progesterone, promotes endometrial thickening. Endometrial thickening is not
associated with FSH or with inhibin.

Question 12

34-12. Menstruation is followed by the _____ phase of the menstrual cycle.
a. follicular
b. luteal
c. secretory
d. ischemic

Answer 12

ANS: A
Menstruation is followed by the follicular phase, not luteal. Ovulation marks the beginning of
the secretory phase. The endometrium disintegrates during the ischemic phase.

Question 13

34-13. When estrogen and progesterone levels drop, the endometrium enters the _____ phase.
a. proliferative
b. luteal
c. menstrual
d. recovery

Answer 13

ANS: C
Without progesterone or estrogen to maintain it, the endometrium enters the ischemic
(blood-starved) phase and disintegrates; this is referred to as the ischemic or menstrual phase.
Drops in estrogen and progesterone levels are not associated with the proliferative, luteal, or
recovery phases of the menstrual cycle.

Question 14

34-14. During the menstrual cycle, what triggers ovulation to occur?
a. A gradual decrease in estrogen levels.
b. Inhibin B sharply spikes.
c. A surge in progesterone occurs.
d. Activin is released.

Answer 14

ANS: B
Inhibin B is primarily secreted in the follicular phase of the cycle and sharply spikes when
ovulation occurs. Ovulation is not associated with estrogen, progesterone, or activin.

Question 15

34-15. Cells of the ____ have receptors for gonadotropins.
a. uterus
b. breast
c. ovary
d. vagina

Answer 15

ANS: C
The ovaries contain receptors for gonadotropins. Gonadotropin receptors are not associated
with the uterus, the breasts, or the vagina.

Question 16

34-16. The ova are contained within the ovarian:
a. corpus luteum.
b. follicle.
c. stroma.
d. infundibulum.

Answer 16

ANS: B
The ova are contained in the ovarian follicle. The ova are not contained in the luteum, the
stroma, or the infundibulum.

Question 17

34-17. Which hormone stimulates the secretion of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)?
a. Activin
b. Inhibin
c. LH
d. Follistatin

Answer 17

ANS: A
Activin, not inhibin, stimulates the secretion of FSH. FSH stimulation is not associated with
LH or follistatin.

Question 18

34-18. How should the nurse describe cervical mucus during ovulation?
a. Blood-tinged
b. Thin and watery
c. Absent
d. Abundant and elastic

Answer 18

ANS: D
Cervical mucus becomes abundant and more elastic during ovulation, not absent. Cervical
mucus is not blood-tinged, thin, and watery during ovulation.

Question 19

34-19. Which hormone promotes the formation of channels in the mucus of the cervical os to
facilitate sperm movement into the uterus?
a. LH
b. FSH
c. Progesterone
d. Estrogen

Answer 19

ANS: D
Increasing estrogen levels apparently contribute to the development of tiny channels in
cervical mucus, providing access for sperm into the interior of the uterus. Access for sperm
movement is not associated with LH, FSH, or progesterone.

Question 20

34-20. Having ejected a mature ovum, the ovarian follicle then develops into:
a. an atretic follicle.
b. a theca cell.
c. a corpus luteum.
d. scar tissue.

Answer 20

ANS: C
Having ejected a mature ovum, the follicle develops into another structure, the corpus luteum,
not an atretic follicle or scar tissue. A theca cell is a cell in the ovarian follicle.

Question 21

34-21. Which hormone plays a role in breast milk ejection (letdown) during lactation?
a. Cortisol
b. Prolactin
c. Oxytocin
d. Progesterone

Answer 21

ANS: C
Oxytocin controls milk ejection (let-down) from acini cells. Milk ejection is not associated
with cortisol, prolactin, or progesterone.

Question 22

34-22. The glands of Montgomery are located in the:
a. testes.
b. breasts.
c. uterus.
d. vagina.

Answer 22

ANS: B
The glands of Montgomery are located in the breasts. The glands of Montgomery are not
located in the testes, the uterus, or the vagina.

Question 23

34-23. When a patient who is trying to get pregnant asks where the usual site of fertilization is, how
should the nurse respond?
a. The uterus
b. The fimbriae
c. The ampulla of the fallopian tubes
d. The os of the fallopian tubes

Answer 23

ANS: C
The ampulla, or distal third, of the fallopian tube is the usual site of fertilization, not the os.
Implantation happens in the uterus. The fimbriae move the egg forward.

Question 24

34-24. Which paired glands lie posterior to the urinary bladder in the male?
a. Seminal vesicles
b. Prostate glands
c. Cowper glands
d. Parabladder glands

Answer 24

ANS: A
The seminal vesicles are glands about 4–6 cm long that lie behind the urinary bladder and in
front of the rectum. The prostate glands surround the urethra. The Cowper glands run close to
the urethra. The parabladder is not a gland.

Question 25

34-25. The area of the penis with the most nerve endings is the:
a. foreskin.
b. glans.
c. corpora cavernosa.
d. corpus spongiosum.

Answer 25

ANS: B
Stimulation of the glans, not the foreskin, which is endowed with copious sensitive nerve
endings, provides maximum erotic sensation. The corpora cavernosa lengthens during arousal
but is not the most sensitive. The corpus spongiosum contains the urethra and is not the most
sensitive.

Question 26

34-26. Which structure secretes glucose-rich fluid into the semen?
a. Seminal vesicles
b. Ejaculatory duct
c. Prostate gland
d. Cowper gland

Answer 26

ANS: A
The ducts of the seminal vesicles join the ampulla of the vas deferens to become the
ejaculatory duct, which contracts rhythmically during emission and ejaculation. Such glucose
secretion is not associated with the ejaculatory duct, the prostate, or the Cowper gland. The
Cowper gland secretes the last fluid into the ejaculate.

Question 27

34-27. Spermatogenesis occurs in the:
a. epididymis.
b. inguinal canals.
c. seminiferous tubules.
d. vas deferens.

Answer 27

ANS: C
Spermatogenesis takes place within the seminiferous tubules of the testes, not the epididymis.
Spermatogenesis does not take place within the inguinal canals or the vas deferens.

Question 28

34-28. What term should the nurse use when discussing male sex hormones collectively?
a. Gonadotropins
b. Testosterones
c. Catabolic steroids
d. Androgens

Answer 28

ANS: D
The male sex hormones are androgens. Neither the terms gonadotropins, testosterones, nor
catabolic steroids are associated with the collective term for male sex hormones.

Question 29

34-29. The major difference between male and female sex hormone production is that:

a. LH has no apparent action in the male.
b. sex hormone production in the male is relatively constant.
c. estrogen is not produced in the male.
d. in the male, GnRH does not cause the release of FSH.

Answer 29

ANS: B
In men, sex hormone production is relatively constant and does not occur in a cyclic pattern,
as it does in women. LH has action in the male as it stimulates testosterone. Estrogen is
present in the male in regard to the lack of breast development. In the male, GnRH causes the
release of FSH.

Question 30

34-30. Progesterone is primarily secreted by the:
a. follicle.
b. corpus luteum.
c. granulosa cells.
d. anterior pituitary.

Answer 30

ANS: B
LH from the anterior pituitary stimulates the corpus luteum to secrete progesterone.
Progesterone secretion is not associated with the follicle, the granulosa cells, or the anterior
pituitary.

Question 31

34-31. A 56-year-old female is in menopause. She has ovarian failure. While checking the lab results,
which of the following will the nurse find?
a. Increased FSH
b. Increased estrogen
c. Decreased GnRH
d. Decreased LH

Answer 31

ANS: A
Menopause is characterized by loss of ovarian function, low estrogen and progesterone levels,
and high FSH and LH levels. Estrogen is decreased. GnRH and LH are increased.

Question 32

34-32. A normal characteristic of aging and the male reproductive system includes:
a. changes in libido are not related to health status.
b. tissue responsiveness to testosterone is increased.
c. testicles will experience hypertrophy.
d. refractory time after ejaculation is prolonged.

Answer 32

ANS: D
Men can expect a prolonged refractory time after ejaculation. Changes in libido are related to
health changes. Responsiveness to testosterone is decreased. The testicles undergo atrophy.