A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a male client about a semen analysis to be done for suspected infertility.
Which of the following information should the nurse include?

Choice A rationale:

Maternal battering, or physical abuse during pregnancy, is a risk factor for placental abruption. However, it is not the most common risk factor. Studies have shown that the incidence of placental abruption is about 2-4 times higher in women who have experienced physical abuse during pregnancy compared to those who have not. However, the overall prevalence of physical abuse during pregnancy is estimated to be around 4-8%, while the prevalence of maternal hypertension is much higher, affecting about 10-15% of pregnancies.

Choice B rationale:

Cigarette smoking is also a risk factor for placental abruption. The nicotine in cigarettes causes vasoconstriction, which can reduce blood flow to the placenta. This can lead to placental abruption, especially in women who smoke heavily. However, while smoking is a significant risk factor, it is still less common than maternal hypertension.

Choice C rationale:

Maternal age is associated with an increased risk of placental abruption. Women over the age of 35 are at a higher risk than younger women. This is likely due to changes in the blood vessels of the uterus that occur with age. However, age alone is not as strong a predictor as hypertension.

Choice D rationale:

Maternal cocaine use is a significant risk factor for placental abruption. Cocaine causes vasoconstriction and can also lead to high blood pressure. This combination of factors can significantly increase the risk of placental abruption. However, cocaine use is much less prevalent than hypertension in the general population.

Choice E rationale:

Maternal hypertension, or high blood pressure during pregnancy, is the most common risk factor for placental abruption. Hypertension can damage the blood vessels in the uterus, which can lead to placental abruption. Approximately 50% of placental abruptions are associated with hypertension.

Choice A rationale:

Refrigerating the specimen after collection is not recommended for semen analysis. Cold temperatures can damage sperm motility and viability, leading to inaccurate results. The specimen should be kept at room temperature and transported to the laboratory within 1 hour of collection. This ensures that the sperm are analyzed under conditions that closely resemble their natural environment within the body, providing the most accurate assessment of their health and function.

Choice C rationale:

Allowing the specimen to remain at room temperature for 3 to 4 hours prior to transport is also not advised. While sperm can survive for a limited time outside the body, prolonged exposure to room temperature can also negatively impact their motility and viability. This can compromise the accuracy of the semen analysis results.

Choice D rationale:

Collecting the specimen using a condom with spermicide is strictly prohibited for semen analysis. Spermicides are designed to kill sperm, and their presence in the sample would render the analysis entirely invalid. It's crucial to collect the specimen directly into a sterile container provided by the laboratory to ensure no contaminants interfere with the analysis.

Choice B rationale:

Abstaining from ejaculation for 2 to 3 days prior to the semen analysis is essential for obtaining accurate results. This timeframe allows for optimal sperm concentration and quality within the ejaculate. Frequent ejaculation can deplete sperm reserves, potentially leading to lower sperm counts and reduced motility in the sample. By adhering to the recommended abstinence period, the chances of obtaining a representative and accurate assessment of the patient's semen quality are significantly increased.