A patient asks why vitamin D is important for reproductive health. What is the nurse's response?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: It supports hormonal balance and may improve egg quality and implantation rates. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in reproductive health by supporting hormonal balance, which is essential for the regulation of menstrual cycles and overall reproductive function. Additionally, adequate levels of vitamin D have been associated with improved egg quality and increased success rates of implantation during conception. Incorrect choices: A: Vitamin D is necessary throughout pregnancy, not just during the third trimester. C: Prevention of neural tube defects is mainly linked to folic acid intake, not vitamin D. D: Vitamin D is important for overall health, but it does not eliminate the need for other essential prenatal vitamins that provide a variety of nutrients necessary for a healthy pregnancy.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Performing a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) during fertility evaluation helps visualize the fallopian tubes and check for blockages. This is crucial as blocked fallopian tubes can prevent eggs from meeting sperm, leading to infertility. By injecting contrast dye into the uterus and taking X-ray images, doctors can assess tubal patency. This procedure is not aimed at determining ovarian reserve or egg quality (option A), assessing hormone levels (option C), or evaluating sperm motility in the uterine cavity (option D), as these factors are assessed through different tests and procedures.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Smoking reduces fertility by impairing egg quality and sperm motility. Nicotine and other harmful chemicals in cigarettes can damage reproductive organs and decrease the chances of conception. Smoking has been linked to decreased ovarian reserve in women and decreased sperm quality in men. Choice A is incorrect because smoking does have a significant negative effect on fertility. Choice C is incorrect as smoking does not enhance the effectiveness of fertility medications; in fact, it can reduce their effectiveness. Choice D is incorrect because smoking affects both male and female fertility, not just male fertility.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including balanced nutrition and avoiding smoking. This is because a healthy lifestyle promotes overall well-being and can positively impact sperm quality. Balanced nutrition provides essential nutrients for sperm production while avoiding smoking reduces oxidative stress that can harm sperm. Choice A is incorrect because increased exposure to saunas and hot tubs can actually raise scrotal temperature, potentially harming sperm quality. Choice C is incorrect as high-fat diets can lead to obesity and negatively impact sperm quality. Choice D is incorrect as exercise is beneficial for overall health, including sperm motility.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because fertility significantly declines after age 35 due to a decrease in the quantity and quality of eggs. As women age, the risk of chromosomal abnormalities in eggs increases, impacting fertility. Other choices are incorrect because fertility does not remain constant until menopause (A), age affects fertility regardless of other health issues (C), and fertility starts declining well before the age of 50 (D).