Question

A newly married couple plans to use the natural family planning method of contraception. Understanding how long an ovum can live after ovulation is important to them. The nurse knows that his or her teaching was effective when the couple responds that an ovum is considered fertile for which period of time?

a.6 to 8 hours
b.24 hours
c.2 to 3 days
d.1 week

Answer 1

An ovum can survive for about 24 hours post-ovulation, which is the timeframe when it is considered fertile and can potentially be fertilized by sperm.

Step-by-step explanation:

The couple would know that the teaching about natural family planning and ovulation was effective when they understand that an ovum can survive and is considered fertile for approximately 24 hours post-ovulation. It is during this time that fertilization can occur if sperm is present. After the process of ovulation, the egg is swept into the fallopian tube where it may be fertilized by sperm. The transit of sperm can take about 30 minutes to 2 hours, and sperm can survive in the uterine tubes for another 3–5 days, allowing fertilization to occur if intercourse takes place a few days before ovulation. However, intercourse more than a day after ovulation will usually not result in fertilization, because the oocyte's lifespan after release is relatively short, around 24 hours.