About This Chapter
This testing series focuses on measuring your comprehension of areas such as the teratogen. Supplies offer practice assessments with verified answers, detailed explanations, and glossary definitions categorized by challenge grades, including complete answers, thorough explanations, and definitional resources. Immediate access to correct answers and detailed explanations ensures effective learning and quick verification.
The learning goals are as follows:
✓ Summarize prenatal development.
Question 1
Rubella, also known as German measles, is a maternal disease that can cause prenatal defects. Identify the most common fetal and neonatal outcome of this disease.
- microcephaly
- eye lesions
- stillbirth
- skin lesions
Correct Answer:
microcephaly
Question 2
Before the delivery of her baby, Karen experiences several traumatic life changes. She separates from her husband, discovers that her mother is seriously ill, and begins a more stressful job. Will Karen's baby be significantly affected by all the stress in Karen's life?
- Yes, the baby will develop good coping skills.
- No, fetuses are not significantly affected by the mother's emotional stress.
- No, any effects on the fetus will be temporary and will not produce lasting problems.
- Yes, the baby will be at risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and language delay.
Correct Answer:
Yes, the baby will be at risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and language delay.
Glossary:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A disability in which children consistently show one or more of the following characteristics: (1) inattention, (2) hyperactivity, and (3) impulsivity.
Question 3
Which of the following is advised for pregnant women by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration?
- Pregnant women should not consume caffeine or consume it only sparingly.
- Pregnant women can consume as much caffeine as they want in chocolate but not in coffee.
- Pregnant women can safely drink three cups of coffee each day after the third month of pregnancy.
- Pregnant women should not consume caffeine in soda or tea but can consume caffeine safely through coffee.
Correct Answer:
Pregnant women should not consume caffeine or consume it only sparingly.
Question 4
A teratogen is any agent that can cause
- organogenesis.
- birth defects.
- fetal movement.
- maternal back pain.
Correct Answer:
birth defects.
Glossary:
Cohort Effects: Characteristics determined by a person’s time of birth, era, or generation rather than the person’s actual age.
Question 5
Carla's husband was 50 years of age when she became pregnant. Studies have shown that this paternal factor is connected to
- increased risk of autism and schizophrenia in the baby.
- increased success of in vitro fertilization.
- increased risk of childhood cancer.
- increased cardiac malfunction in the fetus.
Correct Answer:
increased risk of autism and schizophrenia in the baby.
Glossary:
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): Also called pervasive developmental disorders, they range from the severe disorder labeled autistic disorder to the milder disorder called Asperger syndrome. Children with these disorders are characterized by problems in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors.
Question 6
Julianne lost her baby early in her pregnancy. Which of the following paternal factors could have possibly led to this outcome?
- Her partner was overweight.
- Her partner was a heavy smoker, even during her pregnancy.
- Her partner is deficient in vitamin C.
- Her partner was undergoing severe emotional stress during her pregnancy.
Correct Answer:
Her partner was a heavy smoker, even during her pregnancy.
Question 7
Tammy is pregnant with her first child. She tells you that she loves swordfish and has it for dinner two or three times a week. Based on current research, what advice should you give Tammy about her diet?
- Swordfish is a great source of protein and she should continue to consume it.
- Swordfish is not as good for her as king mackerel; she should try to eat more mackerel.
- Swordfish is not recommended for pregnant women because it can contain high levels of mercury.
- Swordfish is a good part of her diet, but Tammy should also eat other large fish that contain omega-3 fatty acids.
Correct Answer:
Swordfish is not recommended for pregnant women because it can contain high levels of mercury.
Glossary:
Teratogen: From the Greek word tera, meaning “monster.” Any agent that causes a birth defect. The field of study that investigates the causes of birth defects is called teratology.
Question 8
The lack of ________ in maternal nutrition has been associated with neural tube defects in offspring.
- vitamin C
- folic acid
- ferrous sulfate
- vitamin E
Correct Answer:
folic acid
Question 9
Priscilla just found out she is pregnant, and her doctor prescribed her a B-complex vitamin that promotes normal prenatal development and reduces the risk of preterm deliveries. Which of the following is the vitamin prescribed by Priscilla's doctor?
- thiamine
- riboflavin
- pantothenic acid
- folic acid
Correct Answer:
folic acid
Question 10
Marlena, who just found out she is pregnant, has very poor eating habits. Her total calorie intake is very low. She eats little protein and unbalanced amounts of vitamins and minerals. If she continues her present eating habits, which of the following is most likely to occur?
- The baby will not be affected.
- The baby will develop Down syndrome.
- The baby is more likely to be malformed.
- The baby is more likely to have severe withdrawal symptoms.
Correct Answer:
The baby is more likely to be malformed.
Glossary:
Teratogen: From the Greek word tera, meaning “monster.” Any agent that causes a birth defect. The field of study that investigates the causes of birth defects is called teratology.
Question 11
Mindy's doctor recommends a diagnostic X-ray to check her lungs for a possible respiratory infection. Since she is in her first trimester, she is concerned about the possible risks of the X-ray radiation on her baby. Which of the following precautions should the doctor take to avoid any complications in Mindy's unborn baby due to the X-ray?
- Give Mindy a mild dose of an analgesic.
- Give Mindy an epidural block to numb her body from the waist down.
- Cover Mindy's abdomen with a lead apron.
- Cover Mindy with several thick, woolen quilts.
Correct Answer:
Cover Mindy's abdomen with a lead apron.
Question 12
"Teratogen" comes from the Greek word "tera," which means ________.
- deformed
- monster
- earth
- evil
Correct Answer:
monster
Glossary:
Teratogen: From the Greek word tera, meaning “monster.” Any agent that causes a birth defect. The field of study that investigates the causes of birth defects is called teratology.
Question 13
Janis, a 30-year-old woman, has been in and out of drug rehabilitation programs several times over the last few years. Recently, she gave birth to a baby girl. The doctor noticed that the infant showed symptoms of tremors, irritability, abnormal crying, disturbed sleep, and impaired motor control. The doctor diagnosed these withdrawal symptoms as the effects of a drug to which Janis was addicted. Identify the drug.
- methamphetamine
- nicotine
- marijuana
- heroin
Correct Answer:
heroin
Glossary:
Addiction: A pattern of behavior characterized by an overwhelming involvement with using a drug and a preoccupation with securing its supply.
Question 14
Which of the following statements is true of the effects of marijuana exposure on one's offspring?
- Research has concluded that marijuana use by pregnant women is associated with facial deformities in their offspring.
- Research has indicated that mothers who use marijuana while pregnant have a higher risk of having a child who develops depression by age 10.
- Research has shown that offspring exposed to marijuana prenatally tended to use marijuana by age 14.
- Research has concluded that controlled doses of marijuana are associated with increased memory in the developing offspring.
Correct Answer:
Research has shown that offspring exposed to marijuana prenatally tended to use marijuana by age 14.
Glossary:
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD): A cluster of abnormalities that appear in the offspring of some mothers who drink alcohol heavily during pregnancy.
Question 15
Which of the following statements is true of the effect of substance abuse by pregnant mothers?
- Infants whose mothers are addicted to heroin show several behavioral difficulties at birth, including withdrawal symptoms.
- Prenatal marijuana exposure is related to higher intelligence in children.
- Cocaine exposure during prenatal development is linked to low blood pressure of the child at nine years of age.
- Maternal smoking is linked to enhanced ovarian functioning in female offspring.
Correct Answer:
Infants whose mothers are addicted to heroin show several behavioral difficulties at birth, including withdrawal symptoms.
Glossary:
Addiction: A pattern of behavior characterized by an overwhelming involvement with using a drug and a preoccupation with securing its supply.
Question 16
The doctor warned Selena, a 30-year-old pregnant woman, that using methadone for her treatment will result in severe consequences. Why is Selena considering methadone for her treatment, and what is the consequence of using this drug?
- Selena is addicted to alcohol. Methadone is a common treatment for alcohol addiction but is known to cause very low birth weight in newborns.
- Selena is addicted to heroin. Methadone is a common treatment for heroin addiction but is known to cause very severe withdrawal symptoms in newborns.
- Selena is addicted to smoking. Methadone is a common treatment for nicotine addiction but is known to cause lower intelligence in children.
- Selena is addicted to marijuana. Methadone is a common treatment for marijuana addiction but is known to cause lower quality of reflexes at one month of age.
Correct Answer:
Selena is addicted to heroin. Methadone is a common treatment for heroin addiction but is known to cause very severe withdrawal symptoms in newborns.
Glossary:
Addiction: A pattern of behavior characterized by an overwhelming involvement with using a drug and a preoccupation with securing its supply.
Question 17
Which of the following statements is true of cocaine use during pregnancy?
- Cocaine quickly crosses the placenta to reach the fetus.
- Cocaine is broken down in the mother's bloodstream before it can reach the fetus.
- Cocaine molecules are too large to pass through the placenta.
- Cocaine exposure during prenatal development has no negative effects on the fetus.
Correct Answer:
Cocaine quickly crosses the placenta to reach the fetus.
Glossary:
Placenta: A prenatal life-support system that consists of a disk-shaped group of tissues in which small blood vessels from the mother and offspring intertwine.
Question 18
Prenatal cocaine exposure has been linked to
- decreased blood pressure at nine years of age.
- impaired language development and information processing.
- increased head circumference at birth.
- quicker motor development at two years of age.
Correct Answer:
impaired language development and information processing.
Glossary:
Language: A form of communication, whether spoken, written, or signed, that is based on a system of symbols. Language consists of the words used by a community and the rules for varying and combining them.
Question 19
________ act on the nervous system to alter states of consciousness, modify perceptions, and change moods.
- Antiemetics
- Biofeedback therapies
- Antihypertensives
- Psychoactive drugs
Correct Answer:
Psychoactive drugs
Glossary:
Perception: The interpretation of what is sensed.
Question 20
Which of the following statements is true of the impact of teratogens?
- Very few fetuses are exposed to teratogens, so it is easy to determine which teratogen causes which defect.
- Fetuses are safe from the effects of teratogens during the first trimester.
- Teratogens cause anatomical defects only after organogenesis is complete.
- Exposure to teratogens does more damage when it occurs at some points in development than at others.
Correct Answer:
Exposure to teratogens does more damage when it occurs at some points in development than at others.
Question 21
During which period of development is the unborn baby most at risk of developing a structural defect due to the effects of a teratogen?
- at conception
- during the germinal period
- during the embryonic period
- during the fetal period
Correct Answer:
during the embryonic period
Glossary:
Embryonic Period: The period of prenatal development that occurs two to eight weeks after conception. During the embryonic period, the rate of cell differentiation intensifies, support systems for the cells form, and organs appear.
Question 22
Sammy is conducting a seminar on the effects of cocaine use by pregnant women. Which of the following statements, if true, would she focus on during her seminar?
- Cocaine exposure during prenatal development is associated with increased birth weight.
- Prenatal cocaine exposure has been linked to higher arousal.
- Cocaine exposure during prenatal development is associated with reduced length and head circumference.
- Children born to cocaine users exhibit higher quality of reflexes at one month of age.
Correct Answer:
Cocaine exposure during prenatal development is associated with reduced length and head circumference.