A woman arrives at the clinic for her annual examination.She tells the nurse that she thinks she has a vaginal infection and she has been using an over-the-counter cream for the past 2 days to treat it.What should be the nurse's initial response?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An important element of the history and physical examination is the patient's description of any symptoms she may be experiencing.Although vaginal creams may interfere with the Pap test,the best response is for the nurse to inquire about the symptoms the patient is experiencing.Women should not douche,use vaginal medications,or have sexual intercourse for 24 to 48 hours before obtaining a Pap test.Although the woman may need to reschedule a visit for her Pap test,her current symptoms should still be addressed.

A Woman Arrives at the Clinic for Her Annual Examination