A 21-year-old college student presents to the university campus clinic. The nurse collects the patient's medical history and performs an initial assessment. The patient states, "I'm having a herpes flair, and I need a prescription for acyclovir." The nurse examines the lesion on the shaft of his penis. The ulcer is 2 cm in size and seems painless and hard upon palpation.
-The student states,"My friend had syphilis,but the lesion healed without antibiotics.Do I really need to take medications?" What is the best response by the nurse?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse should explain to the patient that while the lesion may heal on its own, without treatment, the patient risks developing serious complications from latent syphilis down the road. Treatment with antibiotics is necessary to prevent further disease progression and protect the patient's health. Additionally, the nurse should provide education on safe sex practices and encourage the patient to notify any recent sexual partners so that they can be tested and treated as well. Choice A is incorrect because even though the lesion may heal on its own, there is still a risk of the disease progressing. Choice C is incorrect because syphilis is caused by a bacterial infection, not a virus. Choice D is incorrect because antibiotics do not protect against other sexually transmitted infections, and the patient should still practice safe sex behaviors to prevent the spread of these diseases.

A 21-Year-Old College Student Presents to the University Campus Clinic