Before prescribing oral contraceptives, the nurse practitioner should check for which condition?

• A. Anemia
• B. Human papillomavirus via Pap test
• C. Sexually transmitted diseases
• D. Pregnancy

Answer: (D)

Before prescribing oral contraceptives, it is crucial to check for pregnancy because oral contraceptives are not intended for use during pregnancy and could potentially harm a developing fetus if taken unknowingly. Ensuring a patient is not pregnant helps prevent complications and ensures the safe and effective use of these medications.

Confirming that a patient is not pregnant also allows the practitioner to avoid prescribing an ineffective method of birth control. If a woman is already pregnant, the introduction of hormonal contraceptives can lead to unnecessary anxiety and medical concerns. Therefore, the initial step in prescribing oral contraceptives includes verifying the patient's pregnancy status to promote patient safety and optimal care.

While checking for conditions such as anemia, sexually transmitted diseases, or human papillomavirus via Pap test is relevant to a comprehensive women's health assessment, these are not as critical as verifying pregnancy status before initiating oral contraceptives.