The nurse is counseling a 30-year-old woman diagnosed with paraplegia following a recent rock climbing accident. Which of the following would the nurse include in a teaching plan?

Question

A) The use of birth control pills is recommended.
B) Menses usually resume within 1 year following the injury.
C) Tampons are not recommended for use and can be dangerous.
D) Labor and childbirth are easier and safer because of the paralysis.

Answer 1

C
Feedback:
The use of tampons is dangerous because the woman may forget that a tampon is in place because she has no sensation. The use of birth control pills is not recommended because they can lead to thrombus formation, particularly if the client is not exercising or is immobile. Menses usually resume within 3 months following the injury. Labor and childbirth may be dangerous. The woman may not be aware of the onset of labor. The likelihood of a cesarean birth is increased because the woman may not be able to assist with the delivery and the uterus may not have adequate muscle tone. In addition, labor and delivery may serve as a trigger for autonomic dysreflexia.