Question

The nurse instructs the woman on how to prevent conception using the basal body temperature (BBT) method. The nurse explains that during ovulation, the woman's basal body temperature will change in which direction?

A. Increase
B. Decrease
C. Remain constant
D. Fluctuate irregularly

Answer 1

During ovulation, a woman's basal body temperature will increase slightly and stay elevated until the next menstrual period starts, indicating that ovulation has occurred.

Step-by-step explanation:

During ovulation, a woman's basal body temperature (BBT) will change in a specific direction. The nurse explains that the BBT will increase slightly after ovulation and remains elevated until the start of the next menstrual period. This rise in temperature is due to the increase in progesterone levels post-ovulation, which elevates the body's resting temperature.

However, it is important to note that while tracking BBT can be an indicator that ovulation has occurred, it is not a particularly effective form of contraception by itself. The temperature rise occurs only after ovulation, meaning that the most fertile period could have passed by the time the temperature increase is detected. Additionally, sperm can live in the female reproductive tract for several days, which means that conception could occur before the temperature rise is noted.