skip to main content

CHC quick start — DFSRH MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardCombined hormonal contraceptionCHC quick startDFSRH

A patient requests a combined pill on cycle day 12. Unprotected intercourse occurred 9 days ago, today’s urine pregnancy test is negative and she accepts the possibility of an undetectable early pregnancy. What is appropriate?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A — Quick start CHC with condoms and repeat pregnancy testing

The best answer is “Quick start CHC with condoms and repeat pregnancy testing”. A urine test only 9 days after intercourse cannot reliably exclude pregnancy, but quick starting can be offered after informed discussion when the benefits outweigh the risk. CHC needs 7 days of additional precautions when started after day 5. A repeat pregnancy test 21 days after the last unprotected intercourse detects a pregnancy too early for today’s test.

Reference: CoSRH/FSRH, Quick Starting Contraception: https://www.cosrh.org/Common/Uploaded%20files/documents/1fsrh-guideline-quick-starting-contraception-april-2017.pdf