MATERNITY & WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE
2026 CLINICAL PRACTICE Q&A
COMPETENCY REVIEW
◉2. A married couple is discussing alternatives for pregnancy
prevention and has asked about fertility awareness methods (FAMs).
Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
a.Theyre not very effective, and it is very likely that youll get
pregnant.
b.FAMs can be effective for many couples; however, they require
motivation.
c.These methods have a few advantages and several health risks.
d.You would be much safer going on the pill and not having to
worry.. Answer: ANS: B
FAMs are effective with proper vigilance about ovulatory changes in
the body and with adherence to coitus intervals. FAMs are effective if
correctly used by a woman with a regular menstrual cycle. The
,typical failure rate for all FAMs is 24% during the first year of use.
FAMs have no associated health risks. The use of birth control has
associated health risks. In addition, taking a pill daily requires
compliance on the clients part.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply REF: pp. 173-174 TOP: Nursing Process:
Planning
◉3. A woman who has a seizure disorder and takes barbiturates and
phenytoin sodium daily asks the nurse about the pill as a
contraceptive choice. What is the nurses best response?
a.Oral contraceptives are a highly effective method, but they have
some side effects.
b.Your current medications will reduce the effectiveness of the pill.
c.Oral contraceptives will reduce the effectiveness of your seizure
medication.
d.The pill is a good choice for a woman of your age and with your
personal history.. Answer: ANS: B
,Because the liver metabolizes oral contraceptives, their effectiveness
is reduced when they are simultaneously taken with
anticonvulsants. Stating that the pill is an effective birth control
method with side effects is a true statement, but this response is not
the most appropriate. The anticonvulsant reduces the effectiveness
of the pill, not the other way around. Stating that the pill is a good
choice for a woman of her age and personal history does not teach
the client that the effectiveness of the pill may be reduced because of
her anticonvulsant therapy.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply REF: p. 184 TOP: Nursing Process:
Planning
◉4. A woman who has just undergone a first-trimester abortion will
be using oral contraceptives. To protect against pregnancy, the client
should be advised to do what?
a.Avoid sexual contact for at least 10 days after starting the pill.
b.Use condoms and foam for the first few weeks as a backup.
c.Use another method of contraception for 1 week after starting the
pill.
, d.Begin sexual relations once vaginal bleeding has ended.. Answer:
ANS: C
If oral contraceptives are to be started within 3 weeks after an
abortion, additional forms of contraception should be used
throughout the first week to avoid the risk of pregnancy.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply REF: p. 193 TOP: Nursing Process:
Planning
◉5. Which client would be an ideal candidate for injectable
progestins such as Depo-Provera (DMPA) as a contraceptive choice?
a.The ideal candidate for DMPA wants menstrual regularity and
predictability.
b.The client has a history of thrombotic problems or breast cancer.
c.The ideal candidate has difficulty remembering to take oral
contraceptives daily.
d.The client is homeless or mobile and rarely receives health care..
Answer: ANS: C
2026 CLINICAL PRACTICE Q&A
COMPETENCY REVIEW
◉2. A married couple is discussing alternatives for pregnancy
prevention and has asked about fertility awareness methods (FAMs).
Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
a.Theyre not very effective, and it is very likely that youll get
pregnant.
b.FAMs can be effective for many couples; however, they require
motivation.
c.These methods have a few advantages and several health risks.
d.You would be much safer going on the pill and not having to
worry.. Answer: ANS: B
FAMs are effective with proper vigilance about ovulatory changes in
the body and with adherence to coitus intervals. FAMs are effective if
correctly used by a woman with a regular menstrual cycle. The
,typical failure rate for all FAMs is 24% during the first year of use.
FAMs have no associated health risks. The use of birth control has
associated health risks. In addition, taking a pill daily requires
compliance on the clients part.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply REF: pp. 173-174 TOP: Nursing Process:
Planning
◉3. A woman who has a seizure disorder and takes barbiturates and
phenytoin sodium daily asks the nurse about the pill as a
contraceptive choice. What is the nurses best response?
a.Oral contraceptives are a highly effective method, but they have
some side effects.
b.Your current medications will reduce the effectiveness of the pill.
c.Oral contraceptives will reduce the effectiveness of your seizure
medication.
d.The pill is a good choice for a woman of your age and with your
personal history.. Answer: ANS: B
,Because the liver metabolizes oral contraceptives, their effectiveness
is reduced when they are simultaneously taken with
anticonvulsants. Stating that the pill is an effective birth control
method with side effects is a true statement, but this response is not
the most appropriate. The anticonvulsant reduces the effectiveness
of the pill, not the other way around. Stating that the pill is a good
choice for a woman of her age and personal history does not teach
the client that the effectiveness of the pill may be reduced because of
her anticonvulsant therapy.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply REF: p. 184 TOP: Nursing Process:
Planning
◉4. A woman who has just undergone a first-trimester abortion will
be using oral contraceptives. To protect against pregnancy, the client
should be advised to do what?
a.Avoid sexual contact for at least 10 days after starting the pill.
b.Use condoms and foam for the first few weeks as a backup.
c.Use another method of contraception for 1 week after starting the
pill.
, d.Begin sexual relations once vaginal bleeding has ended.. Answer:
ANS: C
If oral contraceptives are to be started within 3 weeks after an
abortion, additional forms of contraception should be used
throughout the first week to avoid the risk of pregnancy.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply REF: p. 193 TOP: Nursing Process:
Planning
◉5. Which client would be an ideal candidate for injectable
progestins such as Depo-Provera (DMPA) as a contraceptive choice?
a.The ideal candidate for DMPA wants menstrual regularity and
predictability.
b.The client has a history of thrombotic problems or breast cancer.
c.The ideal candidate has difficulty remembering to take oral
contraceptives daily.
d.The client is homeless or mobile and rarely receives health care..
Answer: ANS: C
