While hormonal contraceptives are widely used, many patients seek or require non-hormonal and nonpharmacologic options for a variety of personal and medical reasons. Pharmacists must be knowledgeable about these methods, a topic covered in the Patient Care 5 Women’s Health module and the Patient Care 1 self-care curriculum. From counseling on the correct use of condoms for dual protection against pregnancy and STIs to explaining the mechanism of the copper IUD, this quiz will test your knowledge on the diverse landscape of non-hormonal contraception.
1. Which of the following is a primary advantage of using male latex condoms for contraception?
- a. They are the most effective method for preventing pregnancy.
- b. They offer protection against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- c. They do not require user action at the time of intercourse.
- d. They contain hormones to prevent ovulation.
Answer: b. They offer protection against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
2. The copper IUD (ParaGard) prevents pregnancy primarily by:
- a. Releasing progestin to thicken cervical mucus.
- b. Inhibiting ovulation.
- c. Creating a local inflammatory reaction that is spermicidal.
- d. Acting as a physical barrier in the cervix.
Answer: c. Creating a local inflammatory reaction that is spermicidal.
3. A patient using latex condoms should be counseled to use which type of lubricant to avoid damaging the condom?
- a. Oil-based lubricants like petroleum jelly.
- b. Water-based or silicone-based lubricants.
- c. Any hand lotion.
- d. Coconut oil.
Answer: b. Water-based or silicone-based lubricants.
4. Spermicides containing nonoxynol-9 are recommended for STI prevention.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: b. False
5. The contraceptive sponge works by which combination of mechanisms?
- a. Releasing hormones and inhibiting ovulation.
- b. Acting as a physical barrier, containing spermicide, and absorbing semen.
- c. Thinning cervical mucus and preventing implantation.
- d. Acting as a spermicide only.
Answer: b. Acting as a physical barrier, containing spermicide, and absorbing semen.
6. The lecture on “Contraception” is a specific topic in which course?
- a. PHA5787C Patient Care 5
- b. PHA5104 Sterile Compounding
- c. PHA5703 Pharmacy Law and Ethics
- d. PHA5878C Patient Care 3
Answer: a. PHA5787C Patient Care 5
7. The Calendar Rhythm Method, a fertility awareness-based method (FABM), involves tracking menstrual cycle history to predict:
- a. The day of menstruation.
- b. The fertile window.
- c. The luteal phase length.
- d. The presence of an STI.
Answer: b. The fertile window.
8. For maximum effectiveness, the contraceptive sponge must be left in place for how long after intercourse?
- a. It should be removed immediately.
- b. At least 1 hour.
- c. At least 6 hours.
- d. At least 24 hours.
Answer: c. At least 6 hours.
9. Which of the following is the MOST effective form of emergency contraception?
- a. Levonorgestrel pills
- b. Ulipristal acetate pills
- c. The copper IUD
- d. High-dose combined oral contraceptives (Yuzpe method)
Answer: c. The copper IUD
10. A common side effect associated with the copper IUD is:
- a. Amenorrhea (cessation of periods).
- b. Heavier menstrual bleeding and increased cramping.
- c. Weight gain.
- d. Decreased libido.
Answer: b. Heavier menstrual bleeding and increased cramping.
11. “Reproductive Self-Care” is a module within the Patient Care I course.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
12. The basal body temperature (BBT) method of fertility awareness is based on the principle that a woman’s temperature:
- a. Decreases slightly after ovulation.
- b. Increases slightly after ovulation due to progesterone.
- c. Remains constant throughout the entire cycle.
- d. Increases significantly during menstruation.
Answer: b. Increases slightly after ovulation due to progesterone.
13. A key counseling point for any fertility awareness-based method is that:
- a. They are the most effective methods available.
- b. They offer protection against STIs.
- c. Their effectiveness is highly dependent on correct and consistent use and may not be suitable for women with irregular cycles.
- d. They require no daily tracking.
Answer: c. Their effectiveness is highly dependent on correct and consistent use and may not be suitable for women with irregular cycles.
14. What is the main disadvantage of spermicide when used alone for contraception?
- a. It has a high typical-use failure rate.
- b. It must be prescribed by a physician.
- c. It can cause systemic side effects.
- d. It is very expensive.
Answer: a. It has a high typical-use failure rate.
15. Counseling patients on the appropriate use of medications and devices is a key objective for student pharmacists.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
16. Which type of condom does NOT provide reliable protection against STIs?
- a. Latex condoms
- b. Polyurethane condoms
- c. Polyisoprene condoms
- d. Natural skin (lambskin) condoms
Answer: d. Natural skin (lambskin) condoms
17. The management of women’s health is a topic within the Patient Care 5 curriculum.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
18. The Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) is a highly effective, temporary method of contraception if which criteria are met?
- a. The mother is exclusively breastfeeding, is amenorrheic, and is less than 6 months postpartum.
- b. The mother is partially breastfeeding.
- c. The mother is more than 1 year postpartum.
- d. The mother is also using a hormonal method.
Answer: a. The mother is exclusively breastfeeding, is amenorrheic, and is less than 6 months postpartum.
19. Coitus interruptus (the withdrawal method) has a high failure rate due to:
- a. The presence of sperm in pre-ejaculate fluid.
- b. The requirement for perfect self-control.
- c. The lack of STI protection.
- d. Both a and b.
Answer: d. Both a and b.
20. An active learning session on women’s health is part of the Patient Care 5 course.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
21. A diaphragm is a barrier method that must be:
- a. Used with spermicide and left in place for 6 hours after intercourse.
- b. Replaced every day.
- c. Inserted by a clinician.
- d. Used without spermicide.
Answer: a. Used with spermicide and left in place for 6 hours after intercourse.
22. Frequent use of nonoxynol-9 spermicide can:
- a. Decrease the risk of STIs.
- b. Irritate vaginal and rectal mucosa, potentially increasing the risk of HIV transmission.
- c. Improve vaginal health.
- d. Act as a lubricant.
Answer: b. Irritate vaginal and rectal mucosa, potentially increasing the risk of HIV transmission.
23. The pharmacist’s role in promoting public health includes advocating for STD prevention.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
24. An active learning session on women’s health is part of which course?
- a. PHA5787C Patient Care 5
- b. PHA5163L Professional Skills Lab 3
- c. PHA5781 Patient Care I
- d. PHA5782C Patient Care 2
Answer: a. PHA5787C Patient Care 5
25. A patient with a latex allergy can be counseled to use which type of condom?
- a. Natural skin (lambskin) condoms if STI protection is not a concern.
- b. Polyurethane or polyisoprene condoms for STI protection.
- c. Both a and b are correct counseling points.
- d. They cannot use condoms.
Answer: c. Both a and b are correct counseling points.
26. Phexxi is a non-hormonal vaginal gel that prevents pregnancy by:
- a. Acting as a spermicide.
- b. Thickening cervical mucus.
- c. Maintaining an acidic vaginal pH that is inhospitable to sperm.
- d. Inhibiting ovulation.
Answer: c. Maintaining an acidic vaginal pH that is inhospitable to sperm.
27. A key counseling point for all barrier methods is:
- a. They are reusable.
- b. They are most effective when used consistently and correctly with every act of intercourse.
- c. They are all 100% effective against pregnancy.
- d. They can be used with any type of lubricant.
Answer: b. They are most effective when used consistently and correctly with every act of intercourse.
28. An active learning session on women’s health is part of which course module?
- a. Module 3: Women’s Health
- b. Module 1: Diabetes Mellitus
- c. Module 4: Medication Safety
- d. Module 8: Men’s Health
Answer: a. Module 3: Women’s Health
29. The copper IUD can remain effective for up to:
- a. 1 year
- b. 3 years
- c. 5 years
- d. 10-12 years
Answer: d. 10-12 years
30. The “Self Care – STD Prevention” lecture is part of the Patient Care 5 curriculum.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
31. The “symptothermal method” of fertility awareness combines monitoring of:
- a. Calendar dates and cervical mucus.
- b. Basal body temperature and cervical mucus changes.
- c. LH surges and calendar dates.
- d. Body weight and basal body temperature.
Answer: b. Basal body temperature and cervical mucus changes.
32. A major disadvantage of most non-hormonal, non-IUD methods is that:
- a. They are not easily accessible.
- b. They have high typical-use failure rates due to their reliance on consistent and perfect use.
- c. They are very expensive.
- d. They cause systemic side effects.
Answer: b. They have high typical-use failure rates due to their reliance on consistent and perfect use.
33. The role of the pharmacist in non-hormonal contraception is primarily to:
- a. Insert IUDs.
- b. Provide education on correct use, efficacy, and advantages/disadvantages of OTC methods.
- c. Discourage their use in favor of hormonal methods.
- d. Prescribe diaphragms.
Answer: b. Provide education on correct use, efficacy, and advantages/disadvantages of OTC methods.
34. A patient should be counseled to check the expiration date on a condom package because:
- a. The color may have faded.
- b. The latex can degrade over time, making it more likely to break.
- c. The lubricant can dry out.
- d. Both b and c are correct.
Answer: d. Both b and c are correct.
35. Which of the following is considered a permanent method of contraception?
- a. The copper IUD
- b. The subdermal implant
- c. Vasectomy
- d. The contraceptive sponge
Answer: c. Vasectomy
36. A patient with Wilson’s disease (a disorder of copper metabolism) has a contraindication to which contraceptive method?
- a. The hormonal IUD
- b. The copper IUD
- c. The contraceptive sponge
- d. The diaphragm
Answer: b. The copper IUD
37. The cervical mucus method of fertility awareness involves observing changes in the mucus. Fertile cervical mucus is typically:
- a. Thick, clumpy, and white.
- b. Scant or absent.
- c. Clear, slippery, and stretchy, like raw egg whites.
- d. Yellowish in color.
Answer: c. Clear, slippery, and stretchy, like raw egg whites.
38. The lecture on Contraception is part of which course?
- a. PHA5787C Patient Care 5
- b. PHA5163L Professional Skills Lab 3
- c. PHA5781 Patient Care I
- d. PHA5782C Patient Care 2
Answer: a. PHA5787C Patient Care 5
39. Compared to hormonal methods, a key advantage of non-hormonal methods is:
- a. Their higher efficacy.
- b. Their lack of systemic hormonal side effects.
- c. Their ease of use.
- d. They are all more convenient.
Answer: b. Their lack of systemic hormonal side effects.
40. An active learning session covering women’s health is part of which course?
- a. PHA5787C Patient Care 5
- b. PHA5163L Professional Skills Lab 3
- c. PHA5781 Patient Care I
- d. PHA5782C Patient Care 2
Answer: a. PHA5787C Patient Care 5
41. The failure rate of a contraceptive method during “typical use” is usually ____ than the failure rate during “perfect use.”
- a. lower
- b. higher
- c. the same as
- d. not comparable to
Answer: b. higher
42. A patient purchasing condoms at the pharmacy is an opportunity for the pharmacist to:
- a. Judge their personal choices.
- b. Offer information on other contraceptive and STI prevention methods in a professional manner.
- c. Ignore the purchase.
- d. Ask invasive personal questions.
Answer: b. Offer information on other contraceptive and STI prevention methods in a professional manner.
43. A diaphragm must be fitted by a clinician because:
- a. It is a prescription-only device.
- b. An incorrect size can lead to discomfort and contraceptive failure.
- c. The pharmacist must teach the patient how to use it.
- d. It is difficult to insert.
Answer: b. An incorrect size can lead to discomfort and contraceptive failure.
44. A patient should be counseled not to douche because:
- a. It is an effective method of contraception.
- b. It can disrupt the normal vaginal flora and potentially push bacteria further up the reproductive tract.
- c. It helps prevent STIs.
- d. It is recommended by all physicians.
Answer: b. It can disrupt the normal vaginal flora and potentially push bacteria further up the reproductive tract.
45. Which of the following is NOT a non-hormonal method of contraception?
- a. The copper IUD
- b. The diaphragm
- c. The depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) injection
- d. The male condom
Answer: c. The depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) injection
46. The most important counseling point for a patient relying on the calendar rhythm method is:
- a. The high potential for failure, especially with irregular cycles.
- b. That it is a highly effective method.
- c. That it protects against STIs.
- d. That it requires no daily tracking.
Answer: a. The high potential for failure, especially with irregular cycles.
47. Counseling on reproductive self-care is a topic in the Patient Care I course.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
48. An active learning session on contraception is part of which course module?
- a. Module 3: Women’s Health
- b. Module 1: Diabetes Mellitus
- c. Module 4: Medication Safety
- d. Module 8: Men’s Health
Answer: a. Module 3: Women’s Health
49. The overall management of contraception requires a shared decision-making process where the patient’s preferences and lifestyle are considered.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
50. The ultimate goal of a pharmacist counseling on non-hormonal contraception is to:
- a. Help the patient choose and correctly use a method that aligns with their needs and values.
- b. Convince every patient to use a hormonal method instead.
- c. Sell the most expensive product.
- d. Discourage the use of condoms.
Answer: a. Help the patient choose and correctly use a method that aligns with their needs and values.