The nurse is reviewing the structures of the developing fetus with a group of pregnant clients. What should the nurse emphasize about the function of the placenta? Select all that apply

Question

1. It produces hormones.
2. It produces glycogen, cholesterol, and fatty acids.
3. It maintains fetal respiration, nutrition, and excretion.
4. It provides a circulatory pathway from the chorionic villi to the embryo.
5. It contains a specialized mucoid connective tissue known as Wharton jelly.

Answer 1

1, 2, 3
Explanation:
1. The placenta produces human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG); human placental lactogen (hPL), also referred to as human chorionic somatomammotropin (hCS); relaxin; inhibin; and estrogen and progesterone.
2. The placenta produces glycogen, cholesterol, and fatty acids continuously for fetal use and hormone production.
3. The placental functions include fetal respiration, nutrition, and excretion. To carry out these functions, the placenta is involved in metabolic and transfer activities.
4. The umbilical cord provides a circulatory pathway from the chorionic villi to the embryo.
5. The umbilical cord contains a specialized mucoid connective tissue known as Wharton jelly, which prevents compression of the umbilical cord in utero.