Maternity Nursing: Antepartum Q 20

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After the first four months of pregnancy, the chief source of estrogen and progesterone is the:

  

     A. Placenta

     B. Adrenal cortex

     C. Corpus luteum

     D. Anterior hypophysis

    

    

Correct Answer: A. Placenta.

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When the placental formation is complete, around the 16th week of pregnancy; it produces estrogen and progesterone.

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Option B: The adrenal cortex—the outer part of the gland—produces hormones that are vital to life, such as cortisol (which helps regulate metabolism and helps the body respond to stress) and aldosterone (which helps control blood pressure).

Option C: The primary purpose of the corpus luteum is to pulse out hormones, including progesterone. Progesterone is required for a viable pregnancy to occur and to continue. Progesterone helps the uterine lining, known as the endometrium, to thicken and become spongy.

Option D: Anterior pituitary undergoes two- to three-fold enlargement during pregnancy, because of hyperplasia and hypertrophy of lactotroph cells. In contrast to lactotrophs, the size of other anterior pituitary cells remains unchanged or decreases.

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