A nurse midwife reviews the result of a client's syphilis serology test. The client, a G2P1 at 12 weeks' gestation, tested positive. Which of the following is the priority action of the nurse midwife?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The priority action of the nurse midwife is to administer a single dose of benzathine penicillin G through the intramuscular route. The nurse midwife should monitor the client for any signs of Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction, a reaction to syphilis treatment occurring during the first 24 hours of the therapy. Penicillin G can effectively treat syphilis if it is given before 16 weeks' gestation. Options B and C are appropriate actions but they are not the nurse midwife's priority action. Syphilis may be transmitted from mother to child starting from 16 weeks' gestation and through vaginal delivery, so cesarean section should be considered if the client is untreated. Untreated syphilis may cause congenital syphilis, which is characterized by failure to thrive, saddle nose and rash on the palms, toes, genitalia, anus, mouth and face.

A Nurse Midwife Reviews the Result of a Client's Syphilis