A nurse is teaching an adolescent female patient about 28-day ...

[jho37]

A nurse is teaching an adolescent female patient about 28-day monophasic combination oral contraceptives. The provider has instructed the patient to begin taking the pills on the first Sunday after the onset of her next period.
 
  What will the nurse tell the patient?
  a. If breakthrough spotting occurs, you should begin taking a new pack of pills.
  b. Protection from pregnancy will begin immediately.
  c. Use another form of contraception for the next month.
  d. You may take the pills at different times of day.

Question 2

A patient has been experiencing side effects with a combination oral contraceptive, and her provider has ordered a different combination product. The nurse will instruct the patient to do what?
 
  a. Begin taking the new product immediately.
  b. Change products at the beginning of her next cycle.
  c. Stop taking the old OC 1 week before starting the new OC.
  d. Use an alternate method of contraception for 1 month before starting the new OC.

[otokexnaru]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
When beginning oral contraceptives, it is important that the patient use another form of contraception for the first month, because protection is not immediate. Breakthrough spotting is common and is not an indication for starting a new cycle. Protection from pregnancy is not immediate. It is important to take the pills at the same time each day.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
When changing one combination OC for another, the change is best made at the beginning of a new cycle. It is not correct to begin taking the new product immediately; to stop the old product 1 week before starting the new product; or to use an alternate method of birth control between regimens.