A client asks the nurse, "Can you explain to us how to use the basal body temperature method to detect ovulation and prevent pregnancy?" What response by the nurse is best?

Question

1. "Take your temperature every evening at the same time and keep a record for a period of several weeks. A noticeable drop in temperature indicates that ovulation has occurred."
2. "Take your temperature every day at the same time and keep a record of the findings. A noticeable rise in temperature indicates ovulation."
3. "Take your temperature each day, immediately upon awakening, and keep a record of each finding. A noticeable rise in temperature indicates that ovulation is about to occur."
4. "This is an unscientific and unproven method of determining ovulation, and is not recognized as a means of birth control."

Answer 1

3
Explanation: 3. The basal body temperature method is used to detect ovulation by an increase in the basal temperature during the menstrual cycle. It requires that the woman take her temperature every morning upon awakening (before any activity) and record the findings on a temperature graph, and is based on the fact that the temperature almost always rises and remains elevated after ovulation because of the production of progesterone, a thermogenic (heat-producing) hormone.