Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification Practice Exam

The correct answer reflects a nuanced understanding of the relationship between intrauterine device (IUD) use and ectopic pregnancies. Though IUDs are highly effective in preventing pregnancy, they do not completely eliminate the risk of an ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterine cavity, most commonly in a fallopian tube.

For individuals with an IUD in place, the likelihood of an ectopic pregnancy occurring is generally understood to be higher than in those without any contraceptive method, but it remains relatively low compared to the overall risk of ectopic pregnancies in the general population. Studies indicate that while the rate of ectopic pregnancy can be influenced by various factors including the type of IUD, the typical risk when an IUD is present is often cited around 5%.

The higher incidence is attributed to the mechanism of action of certain types of IUDs, which create a hostile environment for sperm and eggs, but if conception does occur, it can lead to an ectopic implantation. Additionally, many pregnancies that occur with an IUD in place are ectopic. Thus, the correct option of 5% best captures the statistical data on ectopic pregnancy risk among IUD users.