An 18-year-old college freshman comes to your clinic, complaining of severe left-sided lower abdominal pain and a foul yellow discharge. The pain began last night while she was having intercourse with her boyfriend. Afterward the pain became more severe and the discharge started. By this morning she had a fever of 101 degrees and walking was making the pain worse. Only lying very still makes the pain better. She has tried ibuprofen and acetaminophen without any improvement. She denies any nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. Her past medical history is unremarkable. She has had two past sexual partners. She uses the birth control patch instead of condoms. She smokes a half pack of cigarettes a day and drinks four to five beers per weekend night. She denies any illegal drug use. Her parents are both healthy. On examination you find a young woman who appears ill. Her temperature is 102 degrees and her pulse is elevated at 110. She is tender in the left lower quadrant but has no guarding or rebound. Speculum examination reveals yellow purulent drainage from the os. On palpation there is cervical motion tenderness and the left adnexa is swollen and tender. A urine analysis is unremarkable and the urine pregnancy test is pending. What is the best choice of diagnosis for this adnexal swelling?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

PID is common in young sexually active woman and is usually caused by bacteria that have been sexually transmitted. It is often associated with fever, pelvic pain, and a purulent cervical discharge. On examination there is often cervical motion tenderness and adnexal swelling and pain. A purulent discharge is often seen in the cervical os. Causes of cervical infection are gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and sometimes herpes. This woman should be made aware that barrier methods of contraception may prevent transmission of these diseases, whereas the contraceptive patch or pill will not. It would be prudent to consider further history and screening for HIV in this patient.

An 18-Year-Old College Freshman Comes to Your Clinic, Complaining of Severe