Prenatal Development Flashcards
A woman discovers she is pregnant and starts prenatal vitamins to support fetal development. Which nutrient is particularly important in the early weeks of pregnancy to reduce the risk of neural tube defects?
a) Vitamin D
b) Iron
c) Folic acid
d) Calcium
Answer: c) Folic acid
A baby begins to develop a heartbeat at what stage of prenatal development?
a) Germinal
b) Embryonic
c) Fetal
d) Neonatal
Answer: b) Embryonic
When a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall, it marks the beginning of which stage of prenatal development?
a) Germinal
b) Embryonic
c) Fetal
d) Postnatal
Answer: a) Germinal
At around 9 weeks of gestation, the fetus can be seen sucking its thumb. Which stage of prenatal development is this part of?
a) Germinal
b) Embryonic
c) Fetal
d) Neonatal
Answer: c) Fetal
During which stage of pregnancy are the major organs, such as the heart and brain, forming?
a) Germinal
b) Embryonic
c) Fetal
d) Neonatal
Answer: b) Embryonic
A pregnant woman who has smoked throughout her pregnancy is at higher risk of delivering a baby with which of the following conditions?
a) Down syndrome
b) Low birth weight
c) Cystic fibrosis
d) Autism
Answer: b) Low birth weight
In the early stages of pregnancy, what is the term for the fluid-filled sac that surrounds and cushions the developing fetus?
a) Amniotic sac
b) Placenta
c) Uterus
d) Umbilical cord
Answer: a) Amniotic sac
At what point in pregnancy does the fetus begin to develop reflexes such as swallowing and sucking?
a) First trimester
b) Second trimester
c) Third trimester
d) Postnatal
Answer: b) Second trimester
Which of the following is a teratogen that could lead to birth defects in a developing fetus?
a) Prenatal vitamins
b) Caffeine
c) Alcohol
d) Folic acid
Answer: c) Alcohol
A pregnant woman is advised to limit her caffeine intake. This is due to the potential impact on the fetus’s:
a) Circulatory system
b) Nervous system
c) Immune system
d) Respiratory system
Answer: b) Nervous system
If a mother contracts rubella early in pregnancy, it could result in serious birth defects. Rubella is an example of:
a) Genetic abnormality
b) A viral infection
c) A teratogen
d) A maternal health disorder
Answer: c) A teratogen
A baby is born prematurely at 28 weeks gestation and has difficulty breathing on its own. This is likely due to underdevelopment of which organ?
a) Brain
b) Lungs
c) Heart
d) Liver
Answer: b) Lungs
During the fetal stage, the baby gains weight and begins to prepare for life outside the womb. This is also when the:
a) Placenta forms
b) Brain undergoes rapid development
c) Heart begins to beat
d) Gender is determined
Answer: b) Brain undergoes rapid development
The prenatal period when major physical and neurological developments occur is most crucial during:
a) The first trimester
b) The second trimester
c) The third trimester
d) Labor
Answer: a) The first trimester
The umbilical cord connects the fetus to the placenta. Which of the following does the placenta do during prenatal development?
a) Stores genetic material
b) Filters out teratogens
c) Facilitates nutrient and oxygen exchange
d) Initiates labor
Answer: c) Facilitates nutrient and oxygen exchange
A pregnant woman who does not consume enough calcium may be at risk for which of the following complications?
a) Preterm birth
b) Bone development issues in the baby
c) Heart defects in the fetus
d) Early labor
Answer: b) Bone development issues in the baby
At which point in prenatal development do the eyes begin to form, and the fetus can respond to light?
a) Germinal stage
b) Embryonic stage
c) Fetal stage
d) Neonatal stage
Answer: c) Fetal stage
Which of the following best describes the process when the fertilized egg begins dividing and growing into a blastocyst?
a) Differentiation
b) Implantation
c) Gastrulation
d) Cleavage
Answer: d) Cleavage
The development of the neural tube, which eventually becomes the brain and spinal cord, occurs in which stage of prenatal development?
a) Germinal
b) Embryonic
c) Fetal
d) Neonatal
Answer: b) Embryonic
Which of the following can be a direct result of maternal stress during pregnancy?
a) Increased brain size in the baby
b) Premature birth and low birth weight
c) Enhanced cognitive development
d) Reduced likelihood of birth defects
Answer: b) Premature birth and low birth weight
Which of the following is NOT typically a part of prenatal care for a healthy pregnancy?
a) Regular ultrasounds
b) Monitoring maternal blood pressure
c) Refraining from physical activity
d) Nutritional counseling
Answer: c) Refraining from physical activity
During pregnancy, the release of certain hormones is essential for the development of which of the following?
a) The lungs
b) The nervous system
c) The cardiovascular system
d) The digestive system
Answer: b) The nervous system
A baby’s heart starts to beat at around 5 weeks gestation. This is the beginning of the development of the:
a) Nervous system
b) Cardiovascular system
c) Skeletal system
d) Immune system
Answer: b) Cardiovascular system
If a woman is exposed to high levels of stress hormones during pregnancy, it can negatively affect the fetus’s:
a) Cognitive development
b) Height and weight
c) Social behavior
d) Immune system
Answer: a) Cognitive development
