A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for oral contraceptives (OCs).

Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of how to initiate OCs?

The correct answer is choice A.The nurse should tell the client that if she misses one pill, she should take the missed pill as soon as possible and continue with the next pill at the usual time.This will ensure that she maintains a continuous hormonal exposure and does not extend the hormone-free interval beyond 7 days.She does not need to use extra contraception.

Choice B is wrong because taking two pills at once and skipping the next pill will disrupt the hormonal balance and may cause side effects such as nausea or breakthrough bleeding.Choice C is wrong because discarding the missed pill and taking the next pill at the usual time will shorten the duration of hormonal exposure and increase the risk of ovulation.Choice D is wrong because stopping taking the pills for the rest of the cycle and using a backup method of contraception will expose the client to an unnecessary hormone-free interval and may compromise her contraceptive efficacy.

COCs are combined oral contraceptives that contain synthetic estrogen and progestin hormones that prevent ovulation and thicken cervical mucus to inhibit sperm penetration.The normal range of COCs dosage is 20 to 35 micrograms of estrogen and 0.1 to 3 milligrams of progestin per pill.

The correct answer is choice C. The patient needs further teaching if they think that the implant can be inserted immediately after childbirth.According to Mayo Clinic, the implant should not be inserted until at least 21 days after giving birth, or until the milk supply is well established if breastfeeding.

Inserting the implant too soon may increase the risk of blood clots or decrease milk production.

Choice A is correct because condoms are still needed to protect against STIs, even if using the implant as a birth control method.Choice B is correct because irregular and unpredictable menstruation is a common side effect of the implant.Choice D is correct because the implant can prevent pregnancy for up to three years.