A patient is taking a combination oral contraceptive (OC) and tells the nurse that she is planning to undergo knee replacement surgery in 2 months. What will the nurse recommend for this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Patients taking an OC who undergo surgery in which immobilization increases the risk of postoperative thrombosis should stop taking the OC at least 4 weeks prior to surgery. The patient should discuss an alternate method of birth control with her provider. Estrogen, not progestin, increases the risk of thrombosis. The estrogen-containing OC should be stopped 4 weeks prior to surgery. Taking the OC at bedtime does not decrease the risk.

A Patient Is Taking a Combination Oral Contraceptive (OC) and Tells