Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

Which statement about oral contraceptives is incorrect?

1. The actual failure rate of oral contraceptives is 3%

2. Desogestrel belongs to the progesterone family of drugs

3. The newer low-dose birth control pills do not require backup during the first 2 weeks of use

4. Oral contraceptives are contraindicated for women aged 35 or older who smoke

The correct answer is: The newer low-dose birth control pills do not require backup during the first 2 weeks of use

The statement concerning the newer low-dose birth control pills does not accurately reflect the recommendations for their use. When initiating a new oral contraceptive regimen, it is generally advised to use a backup method of contraception for the first two weeks. This is because the contraceptive effectiveness of oral contraceptives may not be fully established during this initial period, and there's a higher chance of ovulation occurring if the pills are not taken consistently or correctly. In contrast, the actual failure rate of 3% mentioned in the first statement pertains to typical use of oral contraceptives, which can lead to a range of failure rates based on real-world usage patterns. Desogestrel being a part of the progesterone family is correct, as it is indeed a synthetic progestin used in many oral contraceptive formulations. Additionally, the contraindication for women aged 35 or older who smoke aligns with established medical guidelines due to the increased risk of thromboembolic events associated with hormone use in that demographic.