Maternal Newborn ATI Practice Questions Related

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A patient asks the nurse about using the basal body temperature method as contraception. What statement made by the patient indicates that the patient needs further teaching?

  • A. “I need to take my temperature before I even sit up in bed.”
  • B. “A rise of 0.4° F above my baseline temperatures for 3 days indicates it is safe to have condomless sex.”
  • C. “I need to use a special thermometer to take my basal body temperature.”
  • D. “I know I am about to ovulate when my temperature rises at least 0.4° F.”
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Option B is the statement made by the patient that indicates the need for further teaching. In the basal body temperature method of contraception, a sustained temperature rise typically indicates ovulation has already occurred, making it unsafe to have condomless sex. It is the drop in temperature just before ovulation that is used to predict a fertile window. Therefore, a rise in temperature would not indicate that it is safe to have condomless sex. The patient should be educated that the temperature shift indicates the end of the fertile window and that it is safest to avoid unprotected sex during the fertile window.