Which of the following statements is not true in the context of the placenta?

1. The placenta is an endocrine organ.
2. The placenta is formed from the inner cell mass.
3. After delivery, placental hormones help in lactation.
4. The placenta is connected to the fetus by the umbilical cord.

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

1. A

   Only 4

2. B

   Only 2

3. C

   Only 1 and 3

4. D

   Only 2 and 3

Appeared in: Raj. CHO -2024

Explanation

• Statement 2 is false because the placenta develops from the trophoblast (the outer cell layer of the blastocyst), not the inner cell mass, which is destined to form the embryo.
• Statement 3 is false because placental hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone, actively inhibit milk production during pregnancy. Lactation is initiated only after delivery, following the sharp decline in these hormones, which removes their inhibitory effect on prolactin.

• Only 2 and 3

  matches the defining clue or classification criterion in the stem.
• Supporting mechanism: The option aligns with the underlying pathophysiology, nursing rationale, procedure logic, or assessment principle being tested.
• Key differentiator: It fits the one fact that separates the correct response from the closest distractor.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: This option claims only statement 4 is not true. However, statement 4 ('The placenta is connected to the fetus by the umbilical cord') is a correct and fundamental fact of fetal development.
• Option B: This option claims only statement 2 is not true. While statement 2 is indeed false, statement 3 is also false, making this option incomplete.
• Option C: This option claims statements 1 and 3 are not true. However, statement 1 ('The placenta is an endocrine organ') is true, as the placenta secretes numerous vital hormones.

Related Visual

• Visual 1: Diagram - Shows the differentiation of a blastocyst into the inner cell mass (which forms the embryo) and the outer trophoblast (which forms the fetal part of the placenta). This clarifies the origin mentioned in statement 2.
• Visual 2: Infographic - Illustrates the hormonal control of lactation, depicting high levels of placental estrogen and progesterone inhibiting milk synthesis during pregnancy, and the sharp drop after delivery that allows prolactin to initiate lactation.

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: Safe nursing care depends on performing Placental development, function, and hormonal roles in the correct sequence, documenting the action clearly, and monitoring for the expected response.
• Understanding placental development is crucial for diagnosing and managing conditions like molar pregnancies, which arise from abnormal trophoblastic proliferation.
• Nurses provide essential lactation support postpartum. Knowing that the withdrawal of placental hormones initiates lactation helps explain the normal timeline for milk 'coming in' and allows for better patient education.
• What if? If a patient has retained placental fragments after delivery, the continued presence of placental hormones (like progesterone) can suppress lactation and cause persistent postpartum bleeding. This highlights the importance of ensuring complete placental expulsion.

How to Approach the Question

• This is a multiple-statement question with a negative lead-in ('not true').
• First, carefully read the stem and identify the core subject: the placenta.
• Evaluate each of the four numbered statements independently, determining if it is true or false based on your knowledge of reproductive physiology.
• Statement 1 (endocrine function) is true. Statement 2 (origin from inner cell mass) is false. Statement 3 (role in lactation after delivery) is false. Statement 4 (connection via umbilical cord) is true.
• The question asks for the statements that are 'not true', which are statements 2 and 3.
• Finally, select the option from A, B, C, or D that correctly groups these false statements. Option D is 'Only 2 and 3'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Placental development, function, and hormonal roles
• Stem keywords: placenta, endocrine organ, inner cell mass, lactation, umbilical cord
• Lead-in keywords: not true
• Negative lead-in flag: The question asks to identify the statements that are NOT true.

Question ID

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