Question

A 35-year-old client is seen for her 2-week postoperative appointment after a suction curettage was performed to evacuate a hydatidiform mole. The nurse explains that the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels will be reviewed every 2 weeks and teaches about the need for reliable contraception for the next 6 months to a year. The client states, "I'm 35 already. Why do I have to wait that long to get pregnant again?" What is the nurse's best response?

a. "It's essential to allow your body to recover fully."

b. "Waiting reduces the risk of a recurrence of a molar pregnancy."

c. "You can discuss early conception with your primary care provider."

d. "It's a precautionary measure for your overall health."

Answer 1

The best response to why she needs to wait before getting pregnant again is to reduce the risk of a recurrence of a molar pregnancy. Monitoring hCG levels is critical to ensuring no abnormal tissue regrowth and establishing a normal baseline before another pregnancy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best response to the client who is eager to become pregnant again after a hydatidiform mole evacuation and is asking why she should wait 6 months to a year before conceiving again is: "Waiting reduces the risk of recurrence of a molar pregnancy." The continued monitoring of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels after the procedure is essential because hCG is a marker used to ensure that the abnormal tissue is not regrowing. Additionally, it allows the medical provider to establish a baseline of normal hCG levels before considering a new pregnancy.

Using contraception during this period is important because it allows the healthcare provider to monitor hCG levels without the interference of a new pregnancy, which could make interpreting these levels more difficult. Should hCG levels rise, it could indicate that molar tissue, which secretes hCG, is growing back and could require additional treatment. Therefore, for the safety and health of the patient, this waiting period and monitoring are critical steps in care after a molar pregnancy. Having reliable contraception helps to avoid any complexity in analyzing and understanding the hCG levels during the follow-up period.