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Question 1
Correct
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Which of the following statements is true regarding heart rate in pregnancy?
Your Answer: Heart rate increases by 15 beats per minute
Explanation:During the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, cardiac output increases by about 30-50%. To maintain this increase, systemic vascular resistance decreases by 20-30%, while stroke volume and the heart rate increase by 25-30% and 15 beats per minute respectively.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 2
Correct
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What is the typical volume increase of a non-pregnant uterus to term uterus?
Your Answer: 10ml to 5000ml
Explanation:Uterine blood flow increases 40-fold to approximately 700 mL/min at term. The uterus is 50–60 g with a volume of approximately 10ml prior to pregnancy and 1000 – 1200 g with a volume of 5000ml by term.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 3
Correct
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Excessive increased level of β-HCG is expected in:
Your Answer: Twin pregnancy
Explanation:Human chorionic gonadotropin levels dynamically increase during early gestation and the levels are significantly greater in viable pregnancies than in ectopic gestation, biochemical pregnancy, or spontaneous abortions. Similarly, the hCG concentrations are significantly higher in multiple pregnancy as compared with singleton.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 4
Correct
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Regarding blood volume in pregnancy which of the following statements is TRUE?
Your Answer: Blood volume slowly increases by 40-50%
Explanation:Maternal blood volume expands during pregnancy to allow adequate perfusion of vital organs, including the placenta and foetus, and to anticipate blood loss associated with delivery. The rapid expansion of blood volume begins at 6–8 weeks gestation and plateaus at 32–34 weeks gestation. While there is some increase in intracellular water, the most marked expansion occurs in extracellular fluid volume, especially circulating plasma volume. This expanded extracellular fluid volume accounts for between 8 and 10 kg of the average maternal weight gain during pregnancy. Overall, total body water increases from 6.5 to 8.5 L by the end of pregnancy.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 5
Incorrect
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Which of the following is probably responsible for physiologic hyperventilation during pregnancy?
Your Answer: Decreased functional residual volume
Correct Answer: Increased progesterone production
Explanation:Progesterone gradually increases during the course of pregnancy, from 25 ng⋅mL−1 at 6 weeks’ to 150 ng⋅mL−1 at 37 weeks’ gestation. Progesterone acts as trigger of the primary respiratory centre by increasing the sensitivity of the respiratory centre to carbon dioxide, as indicated by the steeper slope of the ventilation curve in response to alveolar carbon dioxide changes. Progesterone alters the smooth muscle tone of the airways resulting in a bronchodilator effect. It also mediates hyperaemia and oedema of mucosal surfaces, causing nasal congestion.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 6
Correct
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Polyhydramnios is associated with which one of the following conditions?
Your Answer: Tracheo-oesophageal fistula
Explanation:Oesophageal atresia/TE fistula may be suspected prenatally with ultrasound findings of polyhydramnios, absence of fluid in the stomach, small sized abdomen, or the presence of a dilated proximal oesophageal pouch. An underlying disease is only found in 17 % of cases in mild polyhydramnios. In contrast, an underlying disease is detected in 91 % of cases in moderate to severe polyhydramnios. The literature lists the following potential aetiologies: fetal malformations and genetic anomalies (8–45 %), maternal diabetes mellitus (5–26 %), multiple pregnancies (8–10 %), fetal anaemia (1–11 %), other causes, e.g. viral infections, Bartter syndrome, neuromuscular disorders, maternal hypercalcemia. Viral infections which can lead to polyhydramnios include parvovirus B19, rubella, and cytomegalovirus. Other infections, e.g. toxoplasmosis and syphilis, can also cause polyhydramnios.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 7
Correct
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During wound healing the clotting cascade is activated. Which of the following activates the extrinsic pathway?
Your Answer: Tissue Factor
Explanation:The extrinsic pathway is activated by the tissue factor, which converts factor VII to VIIa which later on converts factors X and II to their activated form finally leading to the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin fibres.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 8
Correct
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Question 9
Correct
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A sure sign of pregnancy is:
Your Answer: Auscultation of fetal heart
Explanation:Classifications of Pregnancy Signs:
Presumptive signs — possibility of pregnancy
Probable signs — most likelihood of indicating pregnancy
Positive signs — confirmation of pregnancy
Auscultation of fetal heart is the only positive sign amongst the rest of the answers. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 10
Correct
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Regarding the renal tract during pregnancy, the following are true, EXCEPT:
Your Answer: The bladder tone increases
Explanation:Incontinence in women is typically related to dysfunction of the bladder or pelvic floor muscles, with such dysfunction often arising during pregnancy or childbirth, or at the time of menopause.
A pregnant woman may experience an increase in the size of the kidneys and ureter due to the increased blood volume and vasculature.
Later in pregnancy, the woman might develop physiological hydronephrosis and hydroureteronephrosis, which are normal.
There is an increase in glomerular filtration rate associated with an increase in creatinine clearance, protein, albumin excretion, and urinary glucose excretion.
There is also an increase in sodium retention from the renal tube so oedema and water retention is a common sign in pregnant women -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 11
Incorrect
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Which of the following pubertal events is NOT mediated by gonadal oestrogen production?
Your Answer: Skeletal growth
Correct Answer: Pubic hair growth
Explanation:The role of androgens in the female includes acting as precursors for oestrogen production, anabolic effects, stimulation of axillary and pubic hair growth, sebum production, stimulation of bone formation, and stimulation of erythropoietin production in the kidneys.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 12
Correct
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In a pregnant lady with polyhydramnios, the cause could be:
Your Answer: Foetus with oesophageal-atresia
Explanation:An underlying disease is only found in 17 % of cases in mild polyhydramnios. In contrast, an underlying disease is detected in 91 % of cases in moderate to severe polyhydramnios. The literature lists the following potential aetiologies: fetal malformations and genetic anomalies (8–45 %), maternal diabetes mellitus (5–26 %), multiple pregnancies (8–10 %), fetal anaemia (1–11 %), other causes, e.g. viral infections, Bartter syndrome, neuromuscular disorders, maternal hypercalcemia. Viral infections which can lead to polyhydramnios include parvovirus B19, rubella, and cytomegalovirus. Other infections, e.g. toxoplasmosis and syphilis, can also cause polyhydramnios.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 13
Correct
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Changes in the urinary tract system in pregnancy include:
Your Answer: Increase in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
Explanation:Pregnancy involves remarkable orchestration of physiologic changes. The kidneys are central players in the evolving hormonal milieu of pregnancy, responding and contributing to the changes in the environment for the pregnant woman and foetus. The functional impact of pregnancy on kidney physiology is widespread, involving practically all aspects of kidney function. The glomerular filtration rate increases 50% with subsequent decrease in serum creatinine, urea, and uric acid values.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 14
Correct
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After birth, all of the following vessels constrict, EXCEPT the:
Your Answer: Hepatic portal vein
Explanation:Immediately after birth the liver is deprived of the large flow of blood supplied during foetal development via the umbilical vein and portal sinus. Simultaneously the blood pressure in the portal sinus, previously as high as in the umbilical vein, falls.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 15
Correct
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In normal physiological changes in pregnancy, all of the following are increased, EXCEPT:
Your Answer: Peripheral resistance
Explanation:The heart adapts to the increased cardiac demand that occurs during pregnancy in many ways:
Cardiac output increases throughout early pregnancy, and peaks in the third trimester, usually to 30-50% above baseline.
Oestrogen mediates this rise in cardiac output by increasing the pre-load and stroke volume, mainly via a higher overall blood volume (which increases by 40–50%).
The heart rate increases, but generally not above 100 beats/ minute.
Total systematic vascular resistance decreases by 20% secondary to the vasodilatory effect of progesterone. Overall, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure drops 10–15 mm Hg in the first trimester and then returns to the baseline in the second half of pregnancy.
All of these cardiovascular adaptations can lead to common complaints, such as palpitations, decreased exercise tolerance, and dizzinessA pregnant woman may experience an increase in the size of the kidneys and ureter due to the increased blood volume and vasculature.
Later in pregnancy, the woman might develop physiological hydronephrosis and hydroureteronephrosis, which are normal.
There is an increase in glomerular filtration rate associated with an increase in creatinine clearance, protein, albumin excretion, and urinary glucose excretion.
There is also an increase in sodium retention from the renal tube so oedema and water retention is a common sign in pregnant women -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 16
Correct
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Question 17
Correct
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Ovulation may be indicated by all the following, EXCEPT:
Your Answer: Mid-cycle elevation in prolactin
Explanation:An elevation in serum PRL is associated with a variety of reproductive disorders, including amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, anovulation and/or luteal phase defects with subsequent infertility.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 18
Correct
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Besides infertility, the most common symptoms of a luteal phase defect is:
Your Answer: Early abortion
Explanation:Luteal phase defect is an ovulatory disorder of considerable clinical importance that is implicated in infertility and recurrent spontaneous abortion.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 19
Incorrect
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Which of the following is suggestive of ovulation:
Your Answer: Day 21 oestrogen level is elevated
Correct Answer: Regular cycle with dysmenorrhea
Explanation:Ovulation in the menstrual cycle usually occurs over 4 days. There is an increase in basal body temperature at the time of ovulation due to the effect of progesterone.
A high Day 21 progesterone level indicates ovulation and the release of an egg.
Dysmenorrhea is described as painful menstruation. The symptoms start at the time of ovulation and persist till menstruation.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 20
Correct
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We can detect the fetal heart beat by Sonography (transvaginal) at:
Your Answer: 6 weeks
Explanation:The earliest fetal heart rate detected transvaginally was at 6 weeks 0 days of gestation compared with 7 weeks 0 days transabdominally. The transvaginal Doppler method was also more successful in detecting the fetal heart rate in women with a retroverted uterus (p < or = 0.01).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 21
Incorrect
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What form is 99% of body calcium found in?
Your Answer: Calcium Bicarbonate
Correct Answer: Calcium Phosphate
Explanation:Calcium phosphate salts are the most abundant form of calcium in the body, making up 99%. The majority of these salts are stored in the skeleton in different forms, mostly, hydroxyapatite, a lattice-like crystal composed of calcium, phosphates and hydroxide. The remaining calcium can be found in the extracellular fluid, tissues and skeletal muscle.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 22
Correct
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Luteal phase deficiency is characterised by:
Your Answer: Has inadequate luteal progesterone production
Explanation:Luteal phase occurs after the ovulation. Luteal defect means that the luteal phase is shorter than 10 days and women will find it difficult to sustain the pregnancy. There is decreased progesterone, LH and FSH production in this case.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 23
Correct
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If a hyalinised mass is formed from an involuted corpus leuteum, it is known as:
Your Answer: Corpus albicans
Explanation:Corpus albicans is the regressed form of the corpus leuteum. It is formed when the corpus leuteum is engulfed by macrophages and a scar or fibrous tissue is formed, called the corpus albicans.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 24
Correct
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The expected date of delivery of a human pregnancy can be calculated as:
Your Answer: 40 weeks after last menstrual period
Explanation:Expected date of delivery/estimated due date (EDD) is a calculated date (i.e., an estimation), determined by counting forward 280 days (40 weeks) from the first day of the woman’s last menstrual period.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 25
Correct
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Regarding cardiac examination during pregnancy which of the following findings should be considered pathological?
Your Answer: Diastolic murmur
Explanation:Diastolic murmurs occur in conditions such as mitral stenosis, tricuspid stenosis and even in carditis. They are always pathological during pregnancy. Systolic murmurs and left axis deviation may be normal during pregnancy due to an increase in the blood volume and load on the heart.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 26
Correct
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Lowered haemoglobin during normal pregnancy is a physiological finding which is mainly due to:
Your Answer: Increased plasma volume
Explanation:During pregnancy, anaemia increases more than fourfold from the first to third trimester. It is a well established fact that there is a physiological drop in haemoglobin (Hb) in the mid trimester. This physiological drop is attributed to increase of plasma volume and hence decrease of blood viscosity lead to better circulation in placenta.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 27
Correct
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The β-hCG curve in maternal serum in a normal pregnancy peaks at:
Your Answer: 10 weeks of pregnancy
Explanation:During the first 8 weeks of pregnancy, concentrations of hCG in the blood and urine usually double every 24 hours. Levels of the hormone typically peak at around 10 weeks, decline until 16 weeks, then remain constant.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 28
Correct
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Which one of the following statements regarding fetal blood pH is correct?
Your Answer: Can be measured during labour
Explanation:A sample for fetal blood pH can be taken during the labour. The mother should be lying in a left lateral position.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 29
Correct
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Which of the following factors is fetal nutrition dependant on?
Your Answer: All of the options given
Explanation:Fetal nutrition is dependant upon multiple factors such as maternal nutritional state, quality of maternal diet, malnutrition, anorexia nervosa, metabolic rate of the mother or whether they suffer from malabsorption syndrome or other related conditions.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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Question 30
Correct
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Which one of the following features indicates fetal asphyxia?
Your Answer: Type II (late) decelerations with tachycardia
Explanation:A type II deceleration is due to placental insufficiency which can result in fetal distress and asphyxia. The fetal heart rate is lowest at the start of the contraction and returns to normal after the contraction is complete.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
