Deck 50: Nursing Care of Patients With Sexually Transmitted Infections

Question 1

A patient recently diagnosed with herpes simplex II asks how to best manage the lesions. What information should the nurse provide for this patient?

A) The use of soap should be restricted.
B) It is safe to use a solution of 50% rubbing alcohol and 50% water to clean the lesions.
C) Wearing nylon panties will reduce discomfort.
D) Gentle soap and water can be used to clean the lesions.

Answer 1

Gentle soap and water can be used to clean the lesions.

Question 2

A patient diagnosed with gonorrhea has not been adhering to the prescribed medication regime. What findings indicate the patient is experiencing complications of the disease?

A) WBC 22,000
B) ambulating slowly with legs apart
C) abdominal pain
D) vaginal bleeding unrelated to menstruation
E) serum potassium of 3.8

Answer 2

WBC 22,000
abdominal pain
vaginal bleeding unrelated to menstruation

Question 3

A male patient experiencing a small, painless lesion on the side of his penis is sexually active with multiple partners and does not use a condom. Which STI should the nurse realize this patient's history suggests?

A) condyloma acuminatum
B) syphilis
C) gonorrhea
D) chlamydia

Answer 3

syphilis

Question 4

A patient diagnosed with herpes simplex II is concerned about sexual relations. What information should be provided to the patient?

A) The infection can be transmitted only when lesions are present.
B) The infection can be prevented with condom use.
C) Sexual relations must be avoided during the prodromal period and for at least 10 days after the lesions are healed.
D) Sexual activity is permissible once the lesions have dried out.

Question 5

A patient asks which method of contraception will provide the greatest protection against sexually transmitted infections. What method should the nurse recommend?

A) oral contraceptives
B) male condoms
C) sponges
D) spermicides

Question 6

A patient diagnosed with latent syphilis asks about transmitting the disease to his spouse. What information should be provided to the patient?

A) "You will need to abstain from sexual relations until treatment is completed."
B) "You will need to wear a condom."
C) "At this late stage, the disease is contained to only you."
D) "At this stage of the disease, transmission is by contact with blood."

Question 7

A patient has contracted syphilis from a sexual partner and has infected his spouse. What interventions should the nurse plan for this couple?

A) Explain the need for follow-up testing in three months and six months.
B) Refer to a marriage counselor.
C) Administer intramuscular injection of penicillin G as ordered.
D) Discuss abstaining from sexual activity until cured.
E) Review handwashing techniques.

Question 8

The nurse is preparing to teach a patient newly diagnosed with chlamydia trachomatis on the pathophysiology of the disease process. In which order should the nurse explain this process to the patient? Standard Text: Click and drag the options below to move them up or down.

A) Organism enters a cell and changes into a reticulate body.
B) Reticulate body divides within the cell. Choice
C) The cell bursts.
D) Organism enters the body as an elementary body.
E) The reticulate body infects the adjoining cells.
F) none of the above

Question 9

A 20-year-old patient has developed small painful blisters on her labia that occurred after having sex with her new boyfriend about six days ago. Which STI should the nurse suspect this patient is experiencing?

A) syphilis
B) gonorrhea
C) chlamydia
D) genital herpes

Question 10

The nurse is reviewing a list of patients seen in the community clinic. Which patients should the nurse identify as having a reportable sexually transmitted disease?

A) aged 26 with bacterial vaginosis
B) aged 32 with syphilis
C) aged 16 with gonorrhea
D) aged 17 with trichomonas
E) aged 22 with vaginal candidiasis

Question 11

The nurse is planning to teach a group of adolescents about sexually transmitted infections. What information concerning genital warts should be included?

A) Hand washing will aid in reducing the spread of genital warts.
B) Genital warts will result in cervical cancer for the majority of women who get them.
C) Women who have certain types of genital warts should be vaccinated against other types.
D) The risk for the development of penile cancer is high in men diagnosed with genital warts.

Question 12

A teenage female patient tells the nurse that she has been sexually active with her boyfriend for two months. For which sexually transmitted infection should this patient be assessed?

A) genital herpes
B) human papillomavirus
C) condyloma acuminatum
D) chlamydia

Question 13

During a physical examination a young patient asks for information about birth control. What information in the patient's history should the nurse use to guide teaching?

A) multiple sex partners
B) no use of condoms
C) lives with grandmother
D) aged 15
E) allergic to penicillin

Question 14

A female patient is experiencing intense vaginal itching with a cheesy discharge after using an over-the-counter vaginal cleanser daily for three weeks. Which disorder should the nurse suspect this patient is experiencing?

A) candidiasis
B) syphilis
C) gonorrhea
D) genital herpes

Question 15

A patient is prescribed Zovirax 300 mg. The medication is available in 200 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse provide to the patient for each dose? _______ tabs
[NOTE: Don't add Standard Text, as correct answer is not a whole number.]

Question 16

The nurse is providing community education to a large group of high school students about the characteristics of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Which characteristics would be beneficial for the students to understand?

A) Most STIs can be prevented by the use of latex condoms.
B) STIs cannot occur from the first sexual experience.
C) For treatment to be effective, both partners must be treated for STIs.
D) There are few complications resulting from delayed treatment of STIs.
E) A person with multiple sexual partners is at a greater risk for STIs.

Question 17

The nurse instructs a patient diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease regarding the use of tampons. Which patient statements indicate that teaching has been effective?

A) "I will be able to wear tampons."
B) "The use of tampons is forever prohibited."
C) "Tampons must be changed at least every four hours."
D) "I should not wear tampons at night, but pads instead."
E) "I should immediately report any malodorous discharge, fever, or pelvic pain."

Question 18

A female patient diagnosed with a chlamydial infection denies any symptoms of the disease and asks when she contracted the disease. What information should the nurse provide to the patient?

A) The patient has most likely had the infection for about 1-3 weeks.
B) The infection has been in her body for less than one month, since no symptoms are present.
C) The infection might have been in her body for an indefinite period of time.
D) Symptoms typically begin a few months after the infection enters the body.

Question 19

A patient is experiencing a painless, ulcerated area on her labia. What should the nurse suspect is occurring with this patient?

A) herpes simplex II
B) syphilis
C) condylomata acuminata
D) gonorrhea

Question 20

A patient recently treated for pelvic inflammatory disease asks how she can best prevent a recurrence of the disease. What information should the nurse provide for the patient?

A) The physician will prescribe prophylactic antibiotic therapy.
B) The use of condoms will be beneficial.
C) Annual gynecological examinations should be scheduled.
D) Douching after intercourse will assist in removing potential pathogens from the genital area.

Question 21

A female patient continues to develop vaginal infections. What teaching should the nurse provide to assist this patient?

A) "Wear only nylon underwear."
B) "Be sure to wash the perineal region daily and as necessary throughout the day."
C) "Avoid wearing tight jeans or pants."
D) "Douche daily."
E) "Use condoms when engaging in sexual activity."

Question 22

A young female patient has just been diagnosed with a trichomonas infection. What symptoms should the nurse expect to assess in this patient?

A) frothy yellow drainage
B) smooth lesions on labia majora
C) itching and irritation of the genitalia
D) dysuria
E) fever

Question 23

A male patient is "relieved" to learn that he has a sexually transmitted disease and is not HIV positive. What would be an appropriate response for the nurse to make to this patient?

A) "Having a sexually transmitted infection does predispose the body to be infected with HIV if exposed to the virus."
B) "You are lucky. Not all patients have a disease that can be cured."
C) "I told you not to be concerned."
D) "You would know if you had HIV from the symptoms, which are not like those you have."

Question 24

A female patient is having difficulty accepting the diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease because she has "been on the pill" for years. Which piece of information should the nurse provide to aid this patient?

A) Skipping doses could have caused the disease.
B) She possibly needs to change the type of birth control pill being used.
C) Some diseases are virulent, and the pill will not protect her.
D) Oral contraceptives do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

Question 25

A female patient is seen for a recurrence of a vaginal infection. What teaching should the nurse realize this patient needs?

A) implementing personal hygiene
B) avoiding tight underwear
C) saving some of the prescribed medication for use when symptoms return
D) avoiding sexual contact until the infection heals
E) avoiding feminine hygiene products

Question 26

The community health nurse is asked to develop a STI educational program to target at-risk people in the community. After reviewing the risk factors for chlamydial infections, for what population should the nurse target the information in the educational plan?

A) males at the adult senior center
B) groups of teenagers from the local high school
C) married couples attending Lamaze classes
D) children from the local 4H Club

Question 27

A female patient who was just diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection is beginning treatment. What should the nurse remind the patient to do?

A) Avoid all sexual activity in the future.
B) Begin birth control pills to prevent future disease transmission.
C) Be pleased that she was not diagnosed with HIV.
D) Inform all sexual partners about the diagnosis so they can also be treated.

Question 28

A patient positive for syphilis is allergic to penicillin and is being treated with tetracycline for 28 days. The healthcare provider orders tetracycline 500 mg to be taken every six hours. The prescription is filled with 250 mg tablets. How many tablets should the patient take every day to achieve the ordered dosing?

Question 29

A female patient says that she has been using "the medication for a yeast infection" but it is not "getting any better." The nurse realizes that this patient most likely:

A) has not used the medication long enough.
B) might be using a treatment that is not appropriate for the cause.
C) is not using the medication correctly.
D) is not washing her hands before applying the medication.

Question 30

A male patient is concerned about a "smooth growth" that appeared on his penis. The nurse suspects this patient is experiencing which type of genital wart?

A) condyloma acuminatum
B) keratotic wart
C) papular wart
D) flat wart

Question 31

A patient with genital herpes is experiencing increased pain with urination. What should the nurse suggest to the patient to manage this symptom?

A) Drink more water.
B) Drink more cranberry juice.
C) Drink more orange juice.
D) Restrict fluids.

Question 32

A male patient who has been diagnosed with gonorrhea twice over the last year states, "It's no big deal. I just come here and get antibiotics when it gets bad." What should the nurse identify as a priority problem for this patient?

A) noncompliance related to disease treatment
B) pain related to appearance of chancres
C) impaired social interactions because of low self-esteem
D) potential for harm to the patient and partners related to the disease process

Question 33

A patient has been diagnosed with salpingitis. Which organs should the nurse identify as being affected by this disease process? Place an "X" over the internal organ affected.

Question 34

The healthcare provider orders doxycycline 100 mg by mouth every 12 hours for 7 days. The pharmacy fills the prescription with 0.1 g doxycycline capsules. The nurse should instruct the patient to take how many capsules per day? Standard Text: Record your answer rounding to the nearest whole number.

Question 35

The nurse is caring for a patient with syphilis. In which order should the nurse explain the disease process to the patient? Standard Text: Click and drag the options below to move them up or down.

A) appearance of a chancre and regional enlargement of lymph nodes
B) localized development of gummas
C) asymptomatic period
D) skin rash on palms and feet
E) none of the above

Question 36

A patient with secondary syphilis may present with a rash. Where should the nurse assess for a rash on this patient? Indicate the areas of the rash with an "X."

Question 37

A female patient is seen for a new onset of blisters on the labia majora. The nurse realizes that this patient is experiencing which health issue?

A) a drug reaction
B) first episode of a herpes virus infection
C) prodromal symptoms of the herpes virus
D) latency period of the herpes virus infection

Question 38

After the removal of genital warts, the male patient says, "Now I can have sex again." What information should the nurse provide to this patient?

A) preventing reinfection now that he is cured of the warts
B) using a chemical barrier to avoid impregnating his partner
C) asking every partner if she has a diagnosed sexually transmitted disease
D) using a condom with all sexual activity

Question 39

A female patient is complaining of a "watery" vaginal discharge with a "really strong fishy" odor. The nurse suspects that this patient is experiencing what health condition?

A) bacterial vaginosis
B) yeast infection
C) trichomoniasis infection
D) genital warts

Question 40

A patient prefers to use the diaphragm as a method of birth control. Which sexually transmitted infections (STIs) should the nurse review as being prevented by the use of this barrier?

A) HIV
B) HPV
C) gonorrhea
D) chlamydia
E) trichomoniasis

Question 41

A patient with genital warts is being treated with podophyllin in the community clinic. What should the nurse instruct the patient about this medication?

A) Sexual activity can resume in one week.
B) An annual Pap smear should be performed.
C) Contact the provider if nausea or diarrhea occurs.
D) Keep all scheduled appointments to have the area treated.
E) Wash the medication off the area within 1 to 4 hours after the first application.

Question 42

The nurse suspects that patient who received intramuscular penicillin for treatment of secondary syphilis is developing the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction. What information did the nurse use to make this clinical determination?

A) new onset of fever
B) heart rate 112 beats per minute
C) sudden severe abdominal cramping
D) complaints of musculoskeletal pain
E) administration of medication 16 hours ago

Question 43

The nurse is reviewing orders written for a patient with uncomplicated gonorrhea. Which medications should the nurse expect to be prescribed for this patient?

A) cefoxitin
B) ceftriaxone
C) doxycycline
D) clindamycin
E) azithromycin

Question 44

While planning care for a patient with pelvic inflammatory disease, the nurse identifies the goal of recovering without long-term effects. Which interventions should the nurse select to help achieve this patient's goal?

A) Instruct on perineal care.
B) Ensure thorough hand hygiene.
C) Disinfect bedpan and toilet seat.
D) Administer antibiotic therapy as prescribed.
E) Monitor for adverse effects of antibiotic therapy.