The Reproductive System
Review Questions
Ana H. Corona, MSN, FNP-C
Nursing Instructor
February 2009
NCLEX-PN/RN license practice tests database system DGH 2007
Approximately how much blood does a
woman lose during her menstruation?
1.
2.
3.
4.
20 to 80 ML
1 cup
1 pint
1 gallon
Answer is 20 to 80 ml

Though it may often feel like gallons, in
actuality a women typically loses 20 to 80 ml
of blood during her menstrual period.
During what phase of the menstrual cycle
is an ovum released?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Ovulation
Gestation
Luteal
Mittelschmerz
Incubation
Answer is Ovulation

During Ovulation, a mature egg is released
from one of the two ovaries into the Fallopian
tube, where it is available for fertilization.
What does Mittelschmerz mean?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Menstrual cramps
Ovulation pain
Laboratory tests run on a pap smear
Archaic reference to menstruation
Answer is Ovulation Pain



From the German word which literally means
middle pain, Mittelschmerz refers to pain
occurring during ovulation on one side of the
lower abdomen.
The location (left or right side) is based on
which ovary produces the ovum that month.
It is estimated that about 20% of women
experience mittelschmerz, which typically
lasts several hours.
Only two female mammals menstruate.
Humans and…
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Dogs
Cats
Apes
Mice
Aardvarks
Answer is #3 Apes


Humans and apes are the only two mammals
that menstruate.
Other mammals, such as dogs, cats, and
even mice, have estrous cycles. When
they’re in “heat”
What causes menstrual cramps?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Excessive menstrual flow
Prostaglandins
Water weight gain
Estrogen
Answer is Prostaglandins


Prostaglandins are a hormone-like substance
that cause uterine contractions, which, in
turn, assist in the shedding of the
endometrium during menstruation.
It is believed that excessive production of
Prostaglandins cause menstrual cramps.
What does amenorrhea mean?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Painful menstruation
Menstrual cycle where ovulation does not
occur
Absence of menstrual period
Heavy bleeding during menstruation
Answer is absence of menstrual
period


Primary amenorrhea is defined as the
absence of menstruation at puberty: the
menstrual cycle never starts.
Secondary amenorrhea is defined as a
condition whereby a woman's menstrual
period stops due to an underlying medical
cause.
What is Menorrhagia?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Menstrual cramps
Periods with abnormally heavy flow or
longer than usual
Periods with abnormally light flow or shorter
than usual
Water retention during menstruation
Answer is Periods of abnormally heavy
flow or longer than usual

Menorrhagia refers to menstrual periods that
are abnormally heavy in flow, or that are
prolonged and last much longer than usual.
Which is the first phase of the menstrual
cycle?
1.
2.
3.
Luteal
Ovulation
Follicular
Answer is follicular phase


The first phase of the menstrual cycle is the
follicular phase.
During this phase, a follicle containing an egg
develops in the ovary.
A nurse is conducting a prenatal teaching
class and is reviewing the functions of the
female reproductive system. A client in the
class asks the nurse about the function of the
fallopian tubes. The nurse tells the client that:
a. estrogen and progesterone are secreted
from the fallopian tubes.
b. the fallopian tubes are the passageway for
the fetus
c. the fetus develops in the fallopian tubes
d. Fertilization occurs in the fallopian tubes.

Answer is D

Fertilization occurs in the fallopian tubes.
A nursing instructor is reviewing the menstrual cycle
with a nursing student who will be conducting a
prenatal teaching session. The instructor asks the
student to describe the follicle-stimulating hormone
(FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The student
accurately responds by stating that:
a. FSH and LH are released from the anterior pituitary
gland.
b. FSH and LH are secreted by the corpus luteum of
the ovary.
c. FSH and LH are secreted by the adrenal glands
D. FSH and LH stimulate the formation of milk during
pregnancy.

Answer is A

FSH and LH are released from the anterior
pituitary gland
A pregnant adolescent client ask the nurse
about the menstrual cycle. The nurse
describes the cycle and tells the adolescent
that its normal duration is about:
a. 14 days
b. 28 days
c. 30 days
4. 45 days
Answer is B

28 days
A 28-year-old married woman seeks advice from the nurse
in her company health office about oral contraceptives.
The nurse should advise her that if she smokes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Oral contraceptives can cause
thrombophlebitis
Some oral contraceptives are safe, and
others are not safe
Oral contraceptives can be used with other
methods
Some oral contraceptives can be used
without concern
Answer is #1

Studies have shown that women who smoke
at least a pack of cigarettes a day are more
prone to cardiovascular problems such as
thrombophlebitis.
The school nurse is teaching a group of 16-year-old girls
about the female reproductive system. One student asks
how long after ovulation it is possible for conception to
occur. The nurse's most accurate response is based on the
knowledge that an ovum is no longer viable after:
1.
2.
3.
4.
12 hours
24 hours
48 hours
72 hours
Answer is #2

The ovum is viable for about 24 hours after
ovulation and if not fertilized before this time
it degenerates.
While the nurse is discussing methods of contraception
with a client during her first visit to the well-woman clinic,
the client expresses a desire to postpone pregnancy for at
least 5 years. Her health history reveals that she currently
smokes 1 1/2 packs of cigarettes a day, has never been
pregnant, and does not want to use a barrier method of
contraception. The most appropriate method for the
nurse to recommend is:
1.
2.
3.
4.
A vaginal ring (NuvaRing)
An intrauterine device (IUD)
Medroxyprogesterone (Depo-Provera)
Combined oral contraceptive pills (COCs)
Answer is #3

Depo-Provera is a long acting, progestin-only
contraceptive that is less likely to cause
cardiovascular problems in women who
smoke than contraceptives containing
estrogen.

1.
2.
3.
4.
After the nurse instructs a 20-year-old nulligravid
client on how to perform a breast self-examination
(BSE) which of the following client statements
indicates that the teaching has been successful?
"I should perform breast self-examination on the
day my menstrual flow begins."
"It's important that I perform breast selfexamination on the same day each month."
"If I notice that one of my breasts is much smaller
than the other, I shouldn't worry."
"If there is some discharge from my nipples, I
should avoid squeezing them."
Answer is #4




The nurse determines that the client has understood
the instructions when the client says that she should
not squeeze her nipples if there is a discharge
present.
If the client notices a discharge or bleeding, she
should notify her health care provider, because this
may be symptomatic of underlying disease.
BSE should be performed about 1 week after the
onset of menses because hormonal influences on
breast tissue are at a low at this time.
The client's breasts should mirror each other. If one
breast is significantly larger than the other, or if there is
"pitting" disease, a tumor may be present.
Assessment of a 16-year-old nulligravid client who visits
the clinic and asks for information on contraceptives
reveals a menstrual cycle of 28 days. The nurse
formulates a nursing diagnosis of Deficient
Knowledge related to ovulation and fertility
management. Which of the following would be
important to include in the teaching plan for the
client?
1.
The ovum survives for 96 hours after ovulation,
making conception possible during this time.
2.
The basal body temperature falls at least 0.2°F after
ovulation has occurred.
3.
Ovulation usually occurs on day 14, plus or minus 2
days, before the onset of the next menstrual cycle.
4.
Most women can tell they have ovulated because of
severe pain and thick, scant cervical mucus.
Answer is #3





For a client with a menstrual cycle of 28 days, ovulation
usually occurs on day 14, plus or minus 2 days, before
the onset of the next menstrual cycle.
The menstrual period begins about 2 weeks after
ovulation has occurred.
Ovulation does not usually occur during the menses
component of the cycle when the uterine lining is being
shed. In most women, the ovum survives for about 12 to
24 hours after ovulation, during which time conception is
possible.
The basal body temperature rises 0.5° to 1.0°F when
ovulation occurs.
Although some women experience some pelvic
discomfort during ovulation (mittelschmerz), severe or
unusual pain is rare. After ovulation, the cervical mucus is
thin and copious.
When describing a vasectomy to a couple inquiring
about this procedure, the nurse would explain that
which of the following is clamped or excised?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Ejaculatory duct.
Seminiferous tubules.
Seminal vesicles.
Vas deferens.
Answer is #4

In vasectomy, a common procedure for male
sterilization, the vas deferens (ductus
deferens) is cut and tied. Coagulation may
also be used to create an obstruction in the
vas deferens and block the passage of
sperm.

1.
2.
3.
4.
A 39-year-old multigravid client asks the nurse for
information about female sterilization with a tubal
ligation. Which of the following client statements
indicates effective teaching?
My fallopian tubes will be tied off through a small
abdominal incision."
"Reversal of a tubal ligation is easily done, with a
pregnancy success rate of 80%."
"After this procedure, I must abstain from
intercourse for at least 3 weeks."
"Both of my ovaries will be removed during the
tubal ligation procedure."
Answer is #1





Tubal ligation involves ligation (tying off) or
cauterization of the fallopian tubes through a
small abdominal incision (laparotomy).
Reversal of a tubal ligation is not easily done.
After a tubal ligation, the client may engage in
intercourse 2 to 3 days after the procedure.
The ovaries are not removed during a tubal
ligation.
An oophorectomy involves removal of one or
both ovaries.

1.
2.
3.
4.
A couple visiting the infertility clinic for the
first time asks the nurse, "What causes
infertility in a woman?" Which of the
following would the nurse include in the
response as one of the most common
factors?
Absence of an ovary.
Overproduction of prolactin.
Anovulation.
Immunologic factors.
Answer is #3





The most common factor in female infertility is ovarian
dysfunction, particularly anovulation.
The causes of infertility can be determined in about
80% to 90% of couples investigated, but in about 10%
to 20% of the cases no cause can be found.
Immunologic factors do play a role in female infertility;
however, they are less common than anovulation.
Overproduction of prolactin is also a less frequent
cause of infertility in women.
Absence of an ovary is an extremely rare cause of
infertility.
The nurse is aware that the patient
understands how to perform a BSE when
the patient makes which of the following
statements:
1.
2.
3.
4.
I will perform my breast exam once every 2
months
It is not necessary to examine my breasts because
I have a mammogram every year
Dimpling of the breast tissue is a normal finding
that occurs with age.
I will examine my breasts one week after my
period ends.
Answer is #4




Breast self exam needs to be done every
month.
Mammogram does not substitute for monthly
BSE.
Dimpling of the breast is one of the warning
signs of breast cancer
BSE should be done one week after
menstruation because of the decreased
presence of benign cysts in the breast.