Question

A client is to have a vacuum curettage abortion because of a fetal demise at 16 weeks' gestation. The practitioner prescribes a dinoprostone (Cervidil) suppository to initiate softening, effacement, and dilation of the cervix (ripening). What should the nurse teach the client about the procedure?

A. General anesthesia will be used to insert the suppository.
B. There will be copious bleeding for several hours after the abortion.
C. Temperature of more than 100° F is common for the first 24 to 48 hours.
D. After insertion of the suppository you should lie flat in bed for 15 minutes.

Answer 1

Option D is correct; after insertion of a dinoprostone (Cervidil) suppository, the client should lie flat in bed for 15 minutes to facilitate absorption and promote cervical ripening.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct teaching for a client about to undergo a vacuum curettage abortion with the aid of a dinoprostone (Cervidil) suppository for cervical ripening is choice D. After insertion of the suppository, the client should lie flat in bed for 15 minutes. This helps in the absorption of the medication, promoting the softening, effacement, and dilation of the cervix. It is not necessary to use general anesthesia for the insertion of the suppository. While some bleeding is expected after the procedure, copious bleeding is not normal and should be reported to the healthcare provider. A temperature of more than 100° F is also not a typical or common occurrence and warrants medical attention as it could suggest an infection. Therefore, options A, B, and C are not accurate and do not provide the correct information about the procedure.