Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

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Prepare for the EMT Intermediate Exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your certification test!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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What effect does oxytocin have during pregnancy?

  1. Decreases blood pressure

  2. Increases heart rate

  3. Stimulates uterine smooth muscle contraction

  4. Promotes fat storage

The correct answer is: Stimulates uterine smooth muscle contraction

Oxytocin plays a crucial role during pregnancy by stimulating uterine smooth muscle contraction. This hormone is released in increasing amounts as pregnancy progresses and is especially significant during labor, where it facilitates rhythmical contractions of the uterus. These contractions help to effectively dilate the cervix and push the baby through the birth canal during delivery. While other physiological effects occur during pregnancy, such as changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and metabolism, the primary and most notable effect of oxytocin in this context is its role in promoting uterine contractions, thus directly contributing to the labor process.