A client who has been prescribed an estrogen-progestin combination oral contraceptive asks the nurse how the medication works. What can the nurse respond to the client?

Question

Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. "It prevents ovulation by stopping the secretion of some hormones from the pituitary gland."
2. "It makes the uterine lining less favorable to an embryo."
3. "It makes the cervical mucus thicker to slow the sperm down."
4. "It kills the sperm."
5. "It stops menstruation."

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1,2,3
Rationale 1: Estrogen-progestin combination oral contraceptives act by preventing ovulation. They accomplish this by providing negative feedback to the pituitary, which suppresses the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
Rationale 2: The estrogen-progestin agents make the uterine endometrium less favorable to receiving an embryo.
Rationale 3: Estrogen-progestin combinations promote the formation of thick cervical mucus that slows sperm transport.
Rationale 4: Estrogen-progestin combinations are not spermicidal medications.
Rationale 5: Estrogen-progestin combinations do not stop menstruation.
Global Rationale: Estrogen-progestin combination oral contraceptives act by preventing ovulation. They accomplish this by providing negative feedback to the pituitary, which suppresses the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The estrogen-progestin agents make the uterine endometrium less favorable to receiving an embryo. Estrogen-progestin combinations promote the formation of thick cervical mucus that slows sperm transport. They are not spermicidal and do not stop menstruation.