ATI Pathophysiology Exam 2 Related

Review ATI Pathophysiology Exam 2 related questions and content

What should the nurse assess in a patient experiencing breakthrough bleeding while taking oral contraceptives?

  • A. Adherence to the medication schedule
  • B. The possibility of pregnancy
  • C. The need for an increased dosage
  • D. The effectiveness of the current oral contraceptive
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: When a patient on oral contraceptives experiences breakthrough bleeding, the nurse should assess the patient's adherence to the medication schedule. Breakthrough bleeding is often a sign of non-adherence, potentially reducing the effectiveness of the contraceptives. Assessing the adherence to the schedule helps in determining if the medication is being taken correctly. The possibility of pregnancy (choice B) is less likely if the patient has been taking the contraceptives as prescribed. Increasing the dosage (choice C) without assessing adherence first can lead to unnecessary medication adjustments. Evaluating the effectiveness of the current oral contraceptive (choice D) comes after assessing adherence to the schedule.