During a clinic visit, a client reports to the nurse that she is having burning and numbness in her perineal area.
Further investigation reveals the client has herpes simplex virus (HSV) type II. Which information concerning herpes infection during pregnancy should the nurse include in the teaching plan for this client?

The correct answer is choice C. The woman’s temperature will increase when she is ovulating.This is because ovulation is triggered by a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH), which also causes a slight rise in basal body temperature (BBT).By measuring her BBT every morning before getting out of bed, the woman can detect this subtle change and identify her fertile window.

Choice A is wrong because ovulation typically occurs around 14 days before the next menstrual period, not seven days after the previous one.

The length of the menstrual cycle can vary from woman to woman, so counting days is not a reliable method of predicting ovulation.

Choice B is wrong because cervical mucus will appear clear, slippery and stretchy when the woman is ovulating, not tacky and cloudy.

This type of mucus helps sperm swim and survive in the reproductive tract.

The woman can check her cervical mucus by wiping with toilet paper or inserting a finger into her vagina.

Choice D is wrong because abdominal massage of the ovaries will not stimulate ovulation, and may even cause harm by injuring the delicate tissues or introducing infection.

The correct answer is choice A. The patient has heart disease, and the antibiotics will decrease the risk to her fetus of developing endocarditis.Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart and valves, which can be caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream during labor and delivery.Patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) are more prone to develop endocarditis because their valve leaflets are floppy and do not close tightly, creating a site for bacterial attachment.Antibiotics can help prevent this complication by killing the bacteria before they reach the heart.

Choice B is wrong because pericarditis is an inflammation of the outer layer of the heart, not the inner lining or valves.It is not related to MVP or bacterial infection.

Choice C is wrong because chorioamnionitis is an infection of the membranes and fluid that surround the fetus, not the heart.It is usually caused by bacteria ascending from the vagina or cervix, not from the bloodstream.

Choice D is wrong because delivering post-term does not increase the risk of systemic infection for the fetus.Systemic infection means infection that affects multiple organs or systems in the body, not just one specific site.