Question

A couple attempting to conceive asks the nurse when ovulation occurs. The woman reports a regular 32-day cycle. Which response by the nurse is correct?

A. Days 11-13
B. Days 7-10
C. Days 14-16
D. Days 17-19

Answer 1

Ovulation usually occurs at the midpoint of the menstrual cycle. For a woman with a 32-day cycle, this would be around days 17-19, which is the correct time frame for the couple attempting to conceive to focus their efforts on.

Step-by-step explanation:

Ovulation typically occurs at the midpoint of a woman's menstrual cycle. Given a regular 32-day cycle, you would count back approximately 14 days from the expected start of the next period, which places ovulation around days 17-19 of the cycle. However, it's important to note that individual variation exists. Sperm can survive for a few days in the fallopian tubes, so having intercourse a few days before and after the predicted ovulation can increase the chances of conception.

Therefore, the nurse's correct response to the couple would be: D. Days 17-19. This time frame takes into account the regular 32-day cycle mentioned and matches the physiological understanding that ovulation occurs around the midpoint of the cycle, not the standard day 14 that applies to the average 28-day cycle.