DSSSB -28 August 2019 (Shift-2)
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Easy
What is the recommended period for taking a post-coital contraceptive pill after unprotected intercourse?
Appeared in: DSSSB -28 August 2019 (Shift-2)
Explanation
- The standard recommendation for the most common post-coital pill, which contains levonorgestrel, is to take it within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected intercourse.
- This type of emergency contraception works primarily by preventing or delaying ovulation.
- Its effectiveness is highest when taken as soon as possible after intercourse and declines with each passing day.
- While other methods have a longer window, the 3-day period is the established guideline for the most widely available emergency contraceptive pill.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option A: A week (7 days) is too long for any emergency contraceptive pill to be effective. This timeframe is outside the recommended window for both levonorgestrel and ulipristal acetate.
- Option B: While some emergency contraceptive pills (like ulipristal acetate) are effective up to 5 days (120 hours), the most common levonorgestrel pill's primary window of efficacy is 3 days (72 hours). Therefore, 4 days is beyond the standard recommendation.
- Option D: This is the maximum time frame for the effectiveness of ulipristal acetate pills and for the insertion of a copper IUD as emergency contraception. However, it is not the standard recommended period for the most common post-coital (levonorgestrel) pill.
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Emergency Contraception Timeframes as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- Nurses play a critical role in providing timely, non-judgmental, and accurate information about emergency contraception (EC) to prevent unintended pregnancies.
- Counseling should include not just the time window but also potential side effects, the need for a follow-up pregnancy test if menses are delayed, and the fact that EC does not protect against STIs.
- It is an important opportunity to discuss and initiate a reliable, long-term contraceptive method to reduce future reliance on emergency measures.
How to Approach the Question
- First, identify the core of the question. It asks for the 'recommended period' for a 'post-coital contraceptive pill'.
- Recognize that 'post-coital pill' or 'morning-after pill' most commonly refers to the levonorgestrel-based emergency contraceptive.
- Recall the standard timeframes for different emergency contraception methods.
- Evaluate the options based on the standard recommendation for levonorgestrel. The established window is within 72 hours.
- Convert 72 hours to days (72 / 24 = 3 days).
- Select the option that matches this timeframe, which is 'Within 3 days'.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Emergency Contraception Timeframes
- Stem keywords: post-coital contraceptive pill, unprotected intercourse, recommended period
- Lead-in keywords: What is
- Negative lead-in flag: false
Question ID
QgjA-taqco9S4aIBYqhw9E
Reference Book
E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart C (pp 404-604 of 604) p. 194-196
E6 Gynecology Williams p. 137-161
E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 2 p. 1058-1060
Practise the full DSSSB -28 August 2019 (Shift-2)
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
More Population Dynamics and Control of Conception Questions
- What is the best time of insertion of Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices (IUCD)?
- Which of the following Emergency contraceptive methods, except?
- Cu IUCD 380A is effective up to how many years to prevent conception?
- Which of the following method of contraception can prevent sexually transmitted disease?
- Natural method of family planning among the following is?
- A woman using a diaphragm for contraception should be instructed to leave it in place for at least how long after intercourse?
- Which of the following is the terminal method of contraceptive in males?
- Which of the following is the terminal method of contraception?
- A 38-year-old lady wants to use a spacing method. She is smoking one packet of cigarettes daily. Which method of contraception is best for her?
- The surgical procedure that involves blocking or sealing the fallopian tubes to prevent the passage of eggs is:
More DSSSB -28 August 2019 (Shift-2) Questions
- Read the given statement and conclusions carefully. Assuming that the information in the statement is true, even if they appear to be at variance wit…
- Out of the given options, three are similar in a certain manner. However, one option is NOT like the other three. Select the option which is differen…
- Five girls took part in a race. Rashi finished before Manisha but behind Garima. Ankita finished before Sakshi but behind Manisha. Who won the race?
- If a mirror is placed on the line MN, then which of the answer figures will be the right mirror image of the given figure?
- Out of the given options, three are similar in a certain manner. However, one option is NOT like the other three. Select the option which is differen…
- Which of the following answer figures completes the series of the question figure?
- Out of the given options, three are similar in a certain manner. However, one option is NOT like the other three. Select the option which is differen…
- Which of the following cubes in the answer figure CANNOT be made based on the unfolded cube in the question figure?
- Which two signs should be interchanged to make the below equation mathematically correct? (56+6) 8 × 3 + 3 \= 18
- Two men Kashish and Yash start from the same point. Kashish walks 0.3 km west, then turns north and walks 0.45 m, then turns to his right and walks 0…