A nurse is providing preoperative teaching to a client who is undergoing a transcervical sterilization procedure.

Which of the following information should the nurse include?

The correct answer is choice B.The client should wear scrotal support for at least 48 hours after the procedure to decrease pain and swelling, and protect the wound.

Some possible explanations for the other choices are:

• Choice A is wrong because the client should avoid sexual activity for at least 1 week, not 4 weeks, after the procedure.The client will not be sterile right away and will need to use another form of birth control until the sperm count is zero.
• Choice C is wrong because the client should apply ice packs to the scrotum for at least 2 days, not 72 hours, after the procedure.Ice helps prevent tissue damage and decrease swelling and pain.
• Choice D is wrong because the client should not take aspirin for pain relief after the procedure, as it can increase the risk of bleeding.The client can take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen instead.

The correct answer is choice A. The nurse should assess for signs of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is an infection of the female reproductive organs that can be caused by sexually transmitted bacteria.PID can cause abdominal pain during sexual intercourse, as well as other symptoms such as fever, unusual vaginal discharge, and bleeding between periods.PID can lead to serious complications such as infertility and ectopic pregnancy if left untreated.

Choice B is wrong because checking the string length of the IUD is not a priority action.The string length may change due to normal variations in the position of the uterus and cervix, and does not indicate a problem with the IUD.However, if the string is missing or longer than usual, it may suggest that the IUD has moved or expelled, and the client should see a provider.

Choice C is wrong because advising the client to use a backup contraceptive method is not a priority action.The IUD is a highly effective form of birth control that does not require additional methods unless the client wants to prevent STIs.However, if the client has an STI that causes PID, using a condom may help prevent further infection and transmission.

Choice D is wrong because scheduling an appointment for IUD removal is not a priority action.The IUD does not cause PID, but it may increase the risk of infection shortly after insertion, especially if the client has an STI.The risk of PID from IUD use is very low (less than 1%) and usually disappears after 3 weeks of placement.Removing the IUD may not cure PID and may expose the client to unwanted pregnancy.