Deck 9: Contraception and Abortion

Question 1

About ________ of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended, and about ________ of those pregnancies are terminated by abortion.

A) 15%; 22%
B) 25%; 42%
C) 35%; 62%
D) 45%; 42%
E) 55%; 52%

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Refer to the figure.
This figure indicates failure rates for perfect use (left) and typical use (right). Based on the figure, which of the following contraceptive methods has the lowest user error?

A) Male condom
B) Diaphragm
C) Pill
D) Injectable
E) Implant

Answer 2

E

Question 3

A man is looking for a reliable, reversible birth control method that puts fertility control in his hands and offers STI protection. Which of the following options bests meets those criteria?

A) Vasectomy
B) IUD
C) Male condoms
D) Withdrawal
E) Fertility awareness

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Early methods of contraception, including condoms made of animal intestines and diaphragms made from lemon halves, worked primarily by

A) killing sperm.
B) dampening libido.
C) blocking ovulation.
D) blocking spermatogenesis.
E) preventing sperm from reaching the ovum.

Question 5

The most ancient form of birth control is thought to have been

A) condoms.
B) withdrawal.
C) oral contraceptives.
D) vinegar-soaked sponges.
E) killing or abandoning babies.

Question 6

The 1965 and 1972 Supreme Court decisions that overthrew the ban on contraception in the United States were based on which constitutional right?

A) Right to privacy
B) Freedom of religion
C) Freedom of expression
D) Women's right to equal treatment
E) States' rights to govern in areas not reserved for the federal government

Question 7

Compared with other developed countries, the U.S. government has been very slow to carry out contraceptive research, education, and services. This is primarily because

A) contraceptive technology is difficult to develop.
B) the AIDS epidemic decreased support for sex outside of marriage.
C) many Americans object to teens having access to contraception and information about it.
D) the U.S. government has no authority to provide these services.
E) most Americans feel contraception is immoral because it limits procreation.

Question 8

An ideal condom will not break or cause allergic reactions, while also preventing disease transmission. Which type of condom would most likely meet these criteria?

A) Natural-tissue lambskin
B) Polyisoprene
C) Latex with spermicide
D) Latex with oil-based lubricant
E) Any condom except novelty condoms with colors and flavors

Question 9

Which factor is most often present when a condom fails?

A) Misuse
B) Use of water-soluble lubricants
C) Excessive lubrication
D) Improper manufacture
E) Novelty features, such as ribbed surfaces

Question 10

A woman wants to use an easily-reversible contraceptive that protects against HIV, prevents pregnancy, and requires her partner's involvement. She should probably use a(n)

A) IUD.
B) diaphragm.
C) cervical cap.
D) spermicide.
E) female condom.

Question 11

Compared to condoms, the diaphragm as a contraceptive method is

A) better at reducing disease risk.
B) less effective at preventing pregnancy.
C) more convenient to purchase.
D) more likely to decrease sensation.
E) more effective without spermicide.

Question 12

For best protection against both pregnancy and disease, spermicides should be used

A) by themselves.
B) only with a diaphragm.
C) in combination with an IUD.
D) in combination with a barrier method.
E) in combination with a hormonal method.

Question 13

Which contraceptive method does not work by providing a barrier between the sperm and ovum?

A) IUD
B) Diaphragm
C) Cervical cap
D) Male condom
E) Female condom

Question 14

What is the major reason that male contraceptives such as intra-vas devices (IVDs) and androgen injections are not in general use?

A) They are too expensive.
B) They are difficult to use.
C) They interfere with arousal.
D) They are still in development.
E) They interfere with sexual pleasure.

Question 15

Triphasic combination pills mimic the woman's normal menstrual cycle by providing varying amounts of estrogens and progestins throughout the cycle. The main reason for this is to

A) make the pill more effective.
B) decrease the pill's side effects.
C) reduce cost.
D) allow women to skip their menstrual period entirely.
E) reduce the number of pills taken each month.

Question 16

The difference between constant-dose and triphasic combination pill is that the

A) constant-dose pill is taken every day of the month.
B) constant-dose pill has fewer side effects than the triphasic pills.
C) contraceptive effect is more easily reversible in the constant-dose pill.
D) hormone dosage is lower in the constant-dose pill.
E) amount of estrogen and progestin in active constant-dose pills is the same, whereas the amounts vary among active doses in triphasic pills.

Question 17

A doctor prescribes a woman a low-estrogen pill as a contraceptive. After about six months, she discontinues it and requests a higher-estrogen pill. Her dissatisfaction with the low-estrogen pill is likely due to

A) increased risk of ovarian cancer.
B) interference with sexual pleasure.
C) increased risk of breast cancer.
D) irregular menstrual cycle.
E) low reliability.

Question 18

A woman takes a combination birth control pill faithfully. However, she forgets to start her next cycle of pills until four days after the intended start date. The chances that coitus during these four days and several subsequent days will result in pregnancy are

A) low, because she has missed less than a week's worth of pills.
B) high, because her endometrium will be prepared for pregnancy.
C) high, because she may have ovulated in the four days without pills.
D) low, because follicle development is suppressed until the next pill cycle.
E) almost nonexistent, because she took the pill correctly throughout the last cycle.

Question 19

Compared to combination birth control pills, progestin-only pills might be preferable because

A) they are more effective.
B) their effects last longer.
C) they require less care in use.
D) they have fewer side effects.
E) they are less disruptive to the menstrual cycle.

Question 20

What is the main function of the progestin-only pill?

A) It prevents ovulation.
B) It prevents fertilization.
C) It prevents implantation.
D) It thickens cervical mucus.
E) It disrupts the menstrual cycle.

Question 21

A woman takes 21 days of hormone pills followed by 7 days of "dummy pills." A doctor would be most likely to change this prescription to a pill such as Seasonale, Quartette, or Seasonique, which lack the monthly drug-free intervals, if the woman wants to

A) decrease her estrogen exposure.
B) decrease her progestin exposure.
C) eliminate her menstrual periods.
D) have more regular menstrual periods.
E) improve the reliability of her contraceptive.

Question 22

Compared to pills, what is the greatest advantage of non-oral hormone-based contraceptives?

A) They have fewer long-term side effects.
B) They have fewer short-term side effects.
C) They release hormones faster than pills.
D) They do not require taking a daily pill.
E) They contain a smaller amount of hormones than pills.

Question 23

A 25-year-old woman is looking for an extremely effective contraceptive that she doesn't have to worry about for months at a time. The method most likely to provide these benefits is the

A) vaginal ring.
B) combination pill.
C) transdermal patch.
D) contraceptive implant.
E) cervical cap.

Question 24

A 40-year-old smoker is considering using the Xulane transdermal patch for birth control. What is the greatest risk she will face?

A) Blood clots
B) Heart attack
C) Lasting weight gain
D) Loss of bone density
E) Delay in returning to full fertility

Question 25

A 35-year-old woman wants a highly reliable, non-hormonal form of birth control. Which option will be her best choice?

A) NuvaRing vaginal ring
B) Paragard IUD
C) Xulane transdermal patch
D) Nexplanon implant
E) Skyla IUD

Question 26

An advantage of IUDs is that they

A) require no monitoring once inserted.
B) are highly effective.
C) provide lifelong contraception.
D) are very inexpensive upfront.
E) provide excellent protection against STIs.

Question 27

A woman is planning to get an IUD. Which of the following factors would lead her to choose the Mirena over the Paragard IUD?

A) She has a copper allergy.
B) She wants a birth control method that will last at least three years.
C) She wants a method with a low failure rate.
D) She wants fertility to return soon after IUD removal.
E) She wants protection against ectopic pregnancies.

Question 28

Which change would be most effective in making hormonal contraceptives available to teenagers who do not want to involve parents in their contraceptive decisions?

A) Making oral contraceptives available over the counter (without a prescription)
B) Allowing pharmacists to prescribe oral contraceptives
C) Encouraging insurance companies to cover oral contraceptives
D) Developing new packaging that better conceals birth control pills
E) Allowing doctors to prescribe oral contraceptives to minors

Question 29

A couple wants to limit the odds of pregnancy without using birth control. The woman knows she has a regular cycle lasting 27-28 days and wants to minimize time spent tracking signs of fertility. Which periodic abstinence method will be the best fit for her?

A) Standard days method
B) Calendar rhythm method
C) Fertility awareness method
D) Cervical mucus method
E) Sympto-thermal method

Question 30

Fertility awareness methods are most appropriate for couples who want to

A) have protection from STIs.
B) have highly reliable contraception.
C) have coitus very frequently.
D) spend little time worrying about contraception.
E) better control the timing of their pregnancies.

Question 31

The high failure rate of the withdrawal method is not a result of

A) the woman failing to track her fertility.
B) the man failing to withdraw in time.
C) the man failing to withdraw far enough.
D) some of the man's semen accidentally contacting the woman's labia.
E) the pre-ejaculatory fluid containing some sperm.

Question 32

Advantages of outercourse included all of the following except

A) preservation of "vaginal virginity."
B) low cost.
C) complete STI protection.
D) lack of side effects.
E) good protection against pregnancy.

Question 33

Methods used for emergency contraception include Plan B One-Step and ella. A major difference between these methods is that Plan B One-Step

A) is a pill while ella is an injection.
B) is an injection while ella is a pill.
C) has a much higher success rate than ella does.
D) requires a prescription while ella does not.
E) does not require a prescription while ella does.

Question 34

A significant issue with emergency contraception is that

A) no options are available without a prescription.
B) all options require the abortion of an established pregnancy.
C) it is less effective in obese women.
D) it only reduces the chance of pregnancy by about 30 percent.
E) all options contain high levels of hormones and thus increase cancer risk.

Question 35

An overweight woman has unplanned, unprotected sex. She wants to be certain that she does not become pregnant now or in the next several years. In this situation, what is her best option?

A) Insertion of an IUD
B) Seeking an immediate abortion
C) The emergency contraceptive, ella
D) The emergency contraceptive, Plan B One-Step
E) Beginning birth control pills after her next menstrual period

Question 36

Following a sexual assault, a woman wants the most effective emergency contraception option available, but also plans to have kids someday. What option should her doctor recommend?

A) Starting a triphasic oral contraceptive immediately
B) Taking Plan B One-Step
C) Taking ella
D) Having an IUD inserted
E) Tubal ligation

Question 37

A major characteristic of the vasectomy is that it

A) reduces sexual sensitivity.
B) is highly reliable.
C) is usually reversible.
D) requires hospitalization.
E) reduces erectile function.

Question 38

Which man would be most likely to choose vasectomy?

A) A young unmarried man
B) A married man who plans to have children in about 5 years
C) A married man with several children
D) A homosexual man in a stable relationship with another man
E) A single man who thinks he might want children someday

Question 39

What is a major disadvantage of the medical procedure known as a vasovasostomy?

A) It is a difficult and painful procedure.
B) It prevents a man from producing semen.
C) It interferes with a man's ability to enjoy sex.
D) It interferes with a man's ability to perform sexually.
E) It is only about 50 percent successful.

Question 40

A week after getting a vasectomy, a man resumes having sex with his wife. Two months later, he discovers his wife is six weeks pregnant. What is the most probable explanation?

A) They had unprotected sex too soon, and sperm remained in the vas deferens.
B) They had sex too soon, causing the vasectomy to fail.
C) The vas deferens reconnected, which occurs in about 10% of vasectomies.
D) His wife must have had sex with another man.
E) He should have gotten the more reliable vasovasostomy instead of a vasectomy.

Question 41

A couple has completed their family. Which would be an evidence-based reason for choosing to sterilize the husband instead of the wife?

A) A vasectomy is less risky than tubal ligation.
B) A vasectomy is more reliable than tubal ligation.
C) A vasectomy will decrease the husband's interest in sex.
D) A tubal ligation will decrease the woman's interest in sex.
E) A tubal ligation will increase the woman's risk of ovarian cancer.

Question 42

Two major procedures, laparoscopy and mini-laparotomy, are used to perform tubal sterilization in women. One difference in these two procedures is that a mini-laparotomy

A) is less invasive than a laparoscopy.
B) uses an inserted viewing instrument.
C) requires pulling oviducts to an incision site.
D) is more reliable in preventing pregnancy than a laparoscopy.
E) involves cutting and clamping the oviducts.

Question 43

Vasectomy and tubal ligation function by

A) poisoning ova and sperm.
B) slowing the movement of ova and sperm.
C) stopping the production of ova and sperm.
D) preventing the meeting of ova and sperm.
E) inactivating ova and sperm through the use of hormones.

Question 44

Which statement regarding contraception choices for women with physical or mental disabilities is true?

A) IUDs are not appropriate for women with limited mobility.
B) Oral contraceptives are not recommended for women with limited mobility.
C) Women with disabilities rarely require contraception.
D) Women with intellectual disabilities manage oral contraceptives more easily than other options.
E) IUDs are the best choice for women with paralysis and loss of sensation in the lower half of their body.

Question 45

Limited access to contraception in much of the world is most attributed to

A) poverty-elimination programs.
B) women's desire to have large families.
C) opposition from the Roman Catholic Church.
D) sex education programs that make contraception unappealing.
E) government promotion of contraception, which spurs suspicion.

Question 46

In the United States, a sexually active 16-year-old girl is most likely to avoid an unplanned pregnancy if she

A) receives abstinence-only education.
B) can easily access contraceptives and understands their use.
C) must obtain her parents' permission to obtain contraceptives.
D) obtains her medical care from a health care system affiliated with the Catholic Church.
E) must receive a pelvic exam before receiving contraceptive services.

Question 47

A woman is diagnosed with hypertension and a blood-clotting disorder, and at the same time, discovers she is pregnant. She and her doctor decide to surgically remove the embryo. This type of abortion would be described as

A) medical.
B) elective.
C) induced.
D) therapeutic.
E) spontaneous.

Question 48

About two-thirds of abortions in the United States are performed before which point in pregnancy?

A) 6 weeks
B) 8 weeks
C) 18 weeks
D) 22 weeks
E) 24 weeks

Question 49

A woman develops major complications from diabetes late in the second trimester of her pregnancy. For her health, her doctor tells her an abortion is necessary. Which method would the doctor most likely use to perform this abortion?

A) Hysterotomy
B) Mifepristone
C) Vacuum aspiration
D) Dilation and evacuation
E) Misoprostol abortion

Question 50

Under which circumstance would a woman most likely choose a medical abortion, using the drug mifepristone (RU-486)?

A) She is unable to see a doctor.
B) It has been less than 7 weeks since the start of her last period.
C) It has been more than 12 weeks since the start of her last period.
D) She wants the abortion completed quickly.
E) She does not want any part of the process to happen at home.

Question 51

A major advantage of the vacuum aspiration method over the mifepristone method is that the vacuum aspiration method

A) is faster.
B) is nonsurgical.
C) can be done earlier in the pregnancy.
D) can be done at home.
E) is done under general anesthesia.

Question 52

Several large studies documented psychological problems in women before and during pregnancy, after abortion, and after birth. Which statement best summarizes what these studies found regarding "post-abortion stress syndrome"?

A) The syndrome does not exist; women do not experience psychological problems after abortions.
B) The syndrome does not exist; women experience psychological problems both after giving birth and after abortions.
C) The syndrome does not exist; psychological problems after abortion are best predicted by psychological problems prior to abortion.
D) The syndrome clearly exists; women experience significantly more psychological problems after abortions than they do after births.
E) The syndrome clearly exists; most women have psychological problems following an abortion.

Question 53

Refer to the figure.
The pie chart to the left (A) indicates the circumstances under which Americans think abortion should be legal. The pie chart to the right (B) shows the stage of pregnancy during which Americans believe abortion should be permitted. What conclusion can you draw based on this data?

A) Only a minority of Americans think abortion should be legal.
B) The majority of Americans would support a second trimester abortion for any reason.
C) The majority of Americans think first trimester abortions should be legal in at least some cases.
D) Very few Americans think we should distinguish between first and third trimester abortions.
E) Very few Americans consider the reason for abortion relevant to the legality of abortion.

Question 54

In recent years, how has the availability of abortion changed in conservative states?

A) It has increased; Roe v. Wade made abortion legal in 1998.
B) It has increased; people now obtain far more second-trimester abortions.
C) It has decreased since the Supreme Court repealed Roe v. Wade.
D) It has decreased; states have made it more difficult to operate clinics.
E) It has not changed; there have been no significant court rulings or new laws since the 1970s.

Question 55

How have abortion rates changed over the last several decades?

A) They have increased due to an increase in unwanted pregnancies.
B) They have increased due to greater social acceptance of second-trimester abortion.
C) They have dropped due to an increase in federal regulation of abortion clinics.
D) They have dropped due to stricter laws against feticide.
E) They have dropped due to lower rates of unwanted pregnancies.

Question 56

List factors involved in choosing a contraceptive method, rank them in order of importance (in your opinion), and describe your reasons for that ranking.

Question 57

List three barrier methods of contraception and describe their effectiveness, advantages, and disadvantages.

Question 58

A 16-year-old girl wants to use oral contraceptives to prevent pregnancy and reduce heavy periods and severe menstrual pain. Identify three options, describe how they work, and make a recommendation about which oral contraceptive you would suggest.

Question 59

Design a brochure for college women describing how four non-oral hormone-based contraceptives work and outlining their advantages and disadvantages.

Question 60

A married couple wants to delay having children but has religious objections to contraception. Describe how three different fertility awareness methods work and make a specific recommendation for this couple based on their desire to begin using the method right away, their tendency to be very organized, and her irregular menstrual cycles.

Question 61

An average-weight woman without insurance coverage had unprotected sex and wants to avoid pregnancy. Describe the mechanism of action, pros, cons, and reliability of three different emergency contraception methods and make a recommendation for her specific situation.

Question 62

Describe male and female sterilization options, how they prevent pregnancy, and the pros and cons of each option.

Question 63

A young woman suffered a serious car accident which left her with lower-body numbness, weakness in her arms, and a concussion that has impaired her planning and organizational skills. Discuss the pros and cons of her various contraceptive options: getting an IUD, using a diaphragm, taking oral contraceptives, using male condoms, or getting a contraceptive implant. Make a recommendation about the option that will be most reliable and give her the most independent control over her contraceptive method.

Question 64

Explain how medical abortions work and discuss their advantages and disadvantages relative to surgical abortions.

Question 65

Describe the current legal status of abortion in the United States and state-level restrictions designed to make abortions more difficult to obtain.