Reproductive Anatomy & Physiology Flashcards
6 cards from real CMA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Reproductive Anatomy & Physiology flashcards as text
Which fetal shunt allows blood to bypass the fetal liver by connecting the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava?
Answer: Ductus venosus
The ductus venosus shunts oxygenated blood from the umbilical vein directly to the inferior vena cava, bypassing the hepatic circulation.
During pregnancy, which cardiovascular change is expected in a healthy mother?
Answer: Physiologic anemia due to plasma volume increase
Plasma volume increases by ~50% while red cell mass increases by ~20–30%, creating a dilutional (physiologic) anemia of pregnancy.
The Braxton Hicks contractions differ from true labor contractions primarily because they:
Answer: Do not cause cervical effacement or dilation
Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular, painless practice contractions that do not result in cervical effacement or dilation.
Which hormone relaxes pelvic ligaments and softens the cervix in preparation for birth?
Answer: Relaxin
Relaxin, produced by the corpus luteum and placenta, loosens pelvic ligaments and promotes cervical ripening near term.
Which fetal presentation is considered normal and most common at term?
Answer: Vertex (cephalic) presentation
Vertex presentation, where the fetal occiput enters the pelvis first, occurs in approximately 96% of term deliveries.
The fundal height in centimeters roughly corresponds to gestational weeks between approximately which weeks?
Answer: 20–36 weeks
Between 20 and 36 weeks, fundal height in centimeters approximates gestational age in weeks (McDonald's rule), within ±2 cm.