Normal Anatomy and Physiology of the Female Pelvis Related

Review Normal Anatomy and Physiology of the Female Pelvis related questions and content

A young woman is giving her menstrual history to the nurse. She is concerned about a short-lived pain that sometimes occurs on either the right or left side of her lower abdomen about 2 weeks before her period is due to begin. What is the nurse’s best response?

  • A. “This pain is probably related to ovulation and is not uncommon.”
  • B. “The pain may be caused by abnormal hormone levels, so the levels should be checked.”
  • C. “Don’t worry, this is to be expected in young women.”
  • D. “There might be some structural abnormality that should be assessed further.”
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: "This pain is probably related to ovulation and is not uncommon." This response is the best because the pain described by the young woman aligns with symptoms of ovulation pain, known as mittelschmerz. This type of pain typically occurs around the time of ovulation and is considered normal. It is a common experience for many women and does not usually indicate any underlying health issues.

Choice B is incorrect because abnormal hormone levels are not typically the cause of ovulation pain. Choice C is incorrect as dismissing the woman's concerns without providing reassurance or information is not appropriate. Choice D is incorrect as there is no indication from the history provided that there is a structural abnormality that needs further assessment.

In summary, the correct response acknowledges the normalcy of the pain experienced by the young woman and provides reassurance based on the symptoms described.