A client describes her cervical mucus as clear, thin, and elastic. Upon examination, the nurse demonstrates that the cervical mucus can be stretched 8-10 cm.
The nurse correctly documents the finding as ______________.
- ferning capacity
- lack of ferning
- spinnbarkheit
- inhospitable
Answer(s): C
Explanation:
Spinnbarkheit is the correct terminology to identify the cervical mucus described. This type of mucus occurs at ovulation and its assessment is used to help couples determine the time they are most likely to conceive.
Ferning capacity or crystallization also increases as ovulation approaches. The only way that ferning can be identified is to place the cervical mucus on a microscope slide, let it air dry, and then examine it for a fern-type appearance.
Lack of ferning cannot be determined without microscopic examination. Inhospitable cervical mucus refers to mazelike patterns of mucoid strands in cervical mucus that prohibit sperm motility.
Other characteristics that make the mucus inhospitable relate to hormone levels, infection, and so on. These conditions cannot be determined by the description supplied in the question.
Reveal Solution Next Question