MCN lecture: Antepartum (fetus)

Question 1

Enumerate the four stages of fetal growth and give their time period.

Answer 1

Ovum - ovulation to fertilization
Zygote - fertilization to implantation
Embryo - implantation to 5-8 weeks
Fetus - 5-8 weeks until term

Question 2

Term used to refer to developing fetus + placental structures throughout pregnancy

Answer 2

Conceptus

Question 3

Where is hCG produced?

Answer 3

Chorionic villi

Question 4

Function of hCG

Answer 4

Maintains corpus luteum

Question 5

Hormone of pregnancy

Answer 5

Progesterone

Question 6

At how many days after fertilization does hCG:

a. begin to increase?
b. peak?
c. decrease?

Answer 6

a. 30 days
b. 60 days
c. 90 days

Question 7

a. What two factors trigger morning sickness (nausea and vomiting) in pregnant women?
b. At what trimester is morning sickness common?

Answer 7

a. High hCG levels + hypoglycemia

b. 1st trimester

Question 8

Condition wherein there is constant high hCG levels throughout the pregnancy

Answer 8

Hyperemesis gravidarum

Question 9

Placenta

a. How many cotyledons?
b. Diameter?
c. Weight?

Answer 9

a. 15-20
b. 15-20 cm
c. 400-600 g

Question 10

Give the system functions that work through the following processes:

a. Osmosis
b. Active transport
c. Diffusion

Answer 10

a. Cardiovascular system
b. Gastrointestinal system
c. Respiratory and renal system

Question 11

a. How is iron transported from mother to fetus?

b. Why is iron important for the fetus?

Answer 11

a. Active transport

b. There will not be enough sources of iron in milk or other food when the baby is born

Question 12

High human placental lactogen (hPL) causes what two conditions?

Answer 12

Insulin resistance, gestational diabetes

Question 13

When should screening for gestational DM be done?

Answer 13

First trimester

Question 14

True or false: Oral hypoglycemics may be used for pregnant women.

Answer 14

False: oral hypoglycemics are teratogens (contraindicated for pregonate women)

Question 15

a. Normal length of umbilical cord
b. Normal diameter of umbilical cord
c. Normal blood vessels of umbilical cord

Answer 15

a. 30-80 cm
b. 2 cm
c. 2 arteries, 1 vein

Question 16

Deoxygenated blood flows through what umbilical blood vessel?

Answer 16

Umbilical arteries

Question 17

Where in the placenta does the umbilical cord normally connect to?

Answer 17

Center of the placenta

Question 18

Connective tissue in the umbilical cord that prevents its compression, knotting, or twisting

Answer 18

Wharton’s jelly

Question 19

Effect of late clamping and cutting

Answer 19

Jaundice after 2-3 days

Question 20

Ideal positioning for mother when cord prolapses (3)

Answer 20

Trendelenburg
Exaggerated Sims position
Knee-chest position

(Any position that relieves the pressure on the vaginal opening)

Question 21

Normal volume of amniotic fluid in:

a. first trimester?
b. second trimester?
c. third trimester?

Answer 21

a. 50 mL (at 12 weeks)
b. 400 mL (at 20 weeks)
c. 1000-1500 mL (at 36-38 weeks)

Question 22

Three functions of amniotic fluid

Answer 22

Protection, thermoregulation, musculoskeletal development (allowing the baby to move promotes MS development)

Question 23

Amniotic fluid index (AFI), how many cm?

Answer 23

8-24 cm

Question 24

Condition wherein amniotic fluid level is low

Answer 24

Oligohydramnios

Question 25

Condition wherein amniotic fluid level is increased

Answer 25

Polyhydramnios

Question 26

Give the significance of these abnormal colors of the amniotic fluid:

a. Green
b. Yellow
c. Red
d. Brown

Answer 26

a. Meconium-stained
b. Blood incompatibility (Rh); increased bilirubin
c. Active fetal bleeding due to injury
d. Fetal death in utero

Question 27

Risk of infection increases if mother does not give birth how many hours after rupture of amniotic fluid?

Answer 27

6-8 hours