Question

The maternity nurse is cognizant of what important structure and function of the placenta?

a.As the placenta widens, it gradually thins to allow easier passage of air and nutrients.
b.As one of its early functions, the placenta acts as an endocrine gland.
c.The placenta is able to keep out most potentially toxic substances, such as cigarette smoke, to which the mother is exposed.
d.Optimal blood circulation is achieved through the placenta when the woman is lying on her back or standing.

Answer 1

The important function of the placenta that a maternity nurse should be aware of is its role as an endocrine gland, as well as its ability to transfer nutrients, oxygen, and waste between mother and fetus.

Step-by-step explanation:

The maternity nurse should be cognizant of the structure and function of the placenta in that, as one of its early functions, the placenta acts as an endocrine gland. The fully developed placenta is crucial for providing nutrition, excretion, respiration, and hormone production necessary for fetal development. It facilitates the transfer of oxygen, nutrients such as glucose and amino acids, hormones, and wastes between maternal and fetal bloodstreams through a complex system of blood vessels and barriers, without the two blood supplies directly mixing. Certain substances like oxygen and carbon dioxide move across the placenta by simple diffusion, while glucose moves by facilitated diffusion, and substances such as amino acids and iron, required in high demand by the fetus, are transported by active transport.