Petroleum or other oil-based lubricants can degrade the latex condom, decreasing its effectiveness; this response provides the opportunity for education for preventing future pregnancies. Discussing future options is important but does not address the patient’s question. Informing the patient that the only effective method of contraception is abstinence is not helpful for the patient’s situation and can be perceived as judgmental, which compromises therapeutic communication between the nurse and patient. Additionally, accusing the patient’s partner of surreptitiously removing the condom is not helpful and also compromises therapeutic communication.