The perinatal nurse is giving discharge instructions to a woman, status post suction and curettage secondary to a hydatidiform mole. The woman asks why she must take oral contraceptives for the next 12 months

Question

The best response from the nurse is a. "If you get pregnant within 1 year, the chance of a successful pregnancy is very
small. Therefore, if you desire a future pregnancy, it would be better for you to use
the most reliable method of contraception available."
b. "The major risk to you after a molar pregnancy is a type of cancer that can be
diagnosed only by measuring the same hormone that your body produces during
pregnancy. If you were to get pregnant, it would make the diagnosis of this cancer
more difficult."
c. "If you can avoid a pregnancy for the next year, the chance of developing a second
molar pregnancy is rare. Therefore, to improve your chance of a successful
pregnancy, it is better not to get pregnant at this time."
d. "Oral contraceptives are the only form of birth control that will prevent a
recurrence of a molar pregnancy."

Answer 1

B
Feedback
A Women should be instructed to use birth control for 1 year after treatment for a
hydatidiform mole. Pregnancy raises hCG levels which increases the risk for
choriocarcinoma.
B This is an accurate statement. Beta-hCG levels will be drawn for 1 year to ensure
that the mole is completely gone. There is an increased chance of developing
choriocarcinoma after the development of a hydatidiform mole. The goal is to
achieve a "zero" hCG level. If the woman were to become pregnant, it may
obscure the presence of the potentially carcinogenic cells.
C The rationale for avoiding pregnancy for 1 year is to ensure that carcinogenic
cells are not present.
D Any contraceptive method except an IUD is acceptable.