Karen, a 28-year-old female patient, has a hysterosalpingogram ordered but not scheduled. What should the nurse tell the patient?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer (A):
- A is correct because the nurse should instruct the patient to call the office when her next menstrual cycle starts to schedule the hysterosalpingogram. This is essential as the test needs to be performed during a specific phase of the menstrual cycle for accurate results.
Summary of Incorrect Choices:
- B: While uterine cramping may be a possible side effect of the procedure, this information is not the most crucial to communicate to the patient at this time.
- C: While it is important to address concerns about radiation exposure, the use of ultrasound imaging doesn't eliminate the need for the patient to schedule the procedure at the appropriate time in her menstrual cycle.
- D: While this choice provides some information about the purpose of the test, it does not address the immediate action the patient needs to take to schedule the procedure correctly.