The nurse is preparing for pelvic physical examination of a woman who has been medically diagnosed with vaginismus. What equipment should the nurse obtain for this examination?

Question

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Women who suffer from vaginismus experience an involuntary spasm of the pelvic floor muscles that can make pelvic examinations incredibly painful. Using a smaller than normal vaginal speculum can help reduce pain and discomfort during the examination. Extra cleaning supplies and culture tubes would not be necessary for the examination, and pre-examination douching is not recommended as it can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina.

The Nurse Is Preparing for Pelvic Physical Examination of a Woman