Caring for Clients with Sexually Transmitted Infections

The nurse is caring for a client who has just been diagnosed with chlamydia and is very upset. The client says, "I don't understand this. The person I had sex with did not have any symptoms at all. How could I have known?" What is the best response by the nurse to this client?

"Many people with chlamydia won't have symptoms for up to 3 weeks after being infected."

An adolescent informs the school nurse that she is afraid of contracting an STI but her boyfriend does not want to use condoms. What is the best response by the nurse?

"The use of condoms is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of acquiring an STI."

The nurse is seeing a client who came into the sexual health clinic after discovering condylomata along her labia. The client states, "This makes no sense, I don't even know who I got this from and I have been so careful!" What is the nurse's best response?

"It sounds like you are feeling angry. Let's talk more about human papillomavirus (HPV) and strategies to stay healthy while you are being treated."

A client has been admitted with primary syphilis. Which signs or symptoms should the nurse expect to see with this diagnosis

A painless genital ulcer that appeared about 3 weeks after unprotected sex

Which of the following medications are used to suppress viral load of the HSV-2 infection?

Acyclovir (Zovirax)

A nurse is caring for a client in the clinic. Which sign or symptom may indicate that the client has gonorrhea?

Burning on urination

The nurse educator is teaching a class about the chain of infection. The nurse educator correctly states that sexually transmitted infections are passed on through which route of transmission?

Direct transmission

Which of the following is the medication of choice for early syphilis?

Penicillin G benzathine

A 23-year-old sexually active woman is having a yearly check-up. The nurse advises the client that she should be screened for chlamydia:

annually.

The nurse is presenting a community lecture about STIs, and emphasizes that some STIs are easily cured with early and adequate treatment. Which is not among these easily treated diseases?

genital herpes

Which is the second most frequently reportable communicable disease in the United States?

gonorrhea

A nurse practitioner is treating a client with early latent syphilis of less than 1 year's duration. The nurse told the client about the need to receive penicillin G benzathine injections according to the following protocol:

one injection.

A nurse is teaching a health class to a group of clients likely to be at highest risk for gonorrhea. What is the age range of the clients?

15 to 24 years

Which statement made by a client with a chlamydial infection indicates understanding of the potential complications?

"I need to treat this infection so it doesn't spread into my pelvis because I want to have children some day."

A nurse is teaching personal hygiene care techniques to a client with genital herpes. Which statement by the client indicates the teaching has been effective?

"I will wear loose cotton underwear."

The nurse is talking to a client who has come to the doctor's office to ensure that the client's sexually transmitted infection (STI) has been successfully treated. Which statement by the client requires further instruction?

"It's great that I don't have to worry about having this infection again because I'm now immune to it."

The nurse is meeting with the mother of an 11-year-old girl to provide decision making support and education regarding human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. The mother states, "I am confused about why my 11 year old needs to be protected from a sexually transmitted infection. She is so young and not sexually active. Why does she need the vaccination now?" What is the nurse's best response

"The vaccination helps to prevent cervical cancer in adult women. It works better if she has it before she becomes sexually active. Let's talk about some of the concerns you have about the vaccination"

A client who has developed a painless penile ulcer is diagnosed with syphilis. What is the typical span of time between infection and developing symptoms with syphilis

21 days

A patient with genital herpes is having an acute exacerbation. What medication would the nurse expect to be ordered to suppress the symptoms and shorten the course of the infection?

Acyclovir (Zovirax)

A 28-year-old sexually active male presented to a clinic because he was concerned about a round, painless sore on the shaft of his penis that had appeared 2 days prior to his visit. The nurse practitioner recognized the lesion as a "chancre," an indicator of primary syphilis. The nurse should tell the patient:

An antibiotic injection is the best treatment since the lesion has just occurred.

The following outcome appears on the plan of care for a client with genital herpes: "Client demonstrates knowledge about measures to reduce the risk of transmission and recurrences." Which of the following, if reported by the client, would support achievement of this outcome?

Consistently uses condoms with sexual activity

In which group is it most important for the client to understand the importance of an annual Papanicolaou test?

Clients infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV)

A student nurse is doing clinical hours at an OB/GYN clinic. The student is helping to develop a plan of care for a patient with gonorrhea has presented at the clinic. The student knows that the care plan for this patient should be include what in the treatment of gonorrhea?

Concurrent treatment for chlamydia

A woman gives birth to a healthy newborn. As part of the newborn's care, the nurse instills erythromycin ophthalmic ointment as a preventive measure related to which STI

Gonorrhea

The nurse is assessing a client in the emergency department who grimaces and reports swelling of the testicles, burning on urination and a green discharge from the penis. The nurse suspects the client will be diagnosed with which infection?

Gonorrhea

A nurse practitioner who works for Planned Parenthood is responsible for health education seminars. During these presentations, the nurse always discusses the symptoms of the most common STI among young, sexually active people. This is:

Human papillomavirus.

The nurse is seeing a client who came into the sexual health clinic after discovering condylomata along her labia. The client states, "This makes no sense, I don't even know who I got this from and I have been so careful!" What is the nurse's best response?

It sounds like you are feeling angry. Let's talk more about human papillomavirus (HPV) and strategies to stay healthy while you are being treated."

The nurse is talking to a client who has come to the doctor's office to ensure that the client's sexually transmitted infection (STI) has been successfully treated. Which statement by the client requires further instruction?

It's great that I don't have to worry about having this infection again because I'm now immune to it."

A nurse is assisting with a physical examination of a male client. Which of the following signs and symptoms is most clearly suggestive of primary genital herpes?

Itching, pain, and the emergence of pustules on the penis

Culture and sensitivity testing of a swab taken from a chancre on the penis of a 27-year-old man has confirmed the presence of Treponema pallidum. The nurse providing care for the patient should anticipate administering which of the following drugs?

Penicillin

he nurse has received several laboratory studies back at the clinic. Which of these results should be reported to the local health department?

Positive gonorrhea

The nurse us assessing a client who reports stiff joints and alopecia. While taking the client's health history, the client reports having multiple sexual parnters in the 6 months and finding a lesion on her labia about 1 month before today's appointment. What should the nurse anticipate based on the signs and symptoms presented?

The client will require treatment for the secondary stage of syphilis.

he nurse us assessing a client who reports stiff joints and alopecia. While taking the client's health history, the client reports having multiple sexual parnters in the 6 months and finding a lesion on her labia about 1 month before today's appointment. What should the nurse anticipate based on the signs and symptoms presented?

The client will require treatment for the secondary stage of syphilis.

A student nurse is doing clinical hours at an OB/GYN clinic. The student is helping to develop a plan of care for a patient with gonorrhea who has presented at the clinic. The student should include which of the following in the care plan for this patient?

The patient should also be treated for chlamydia.

A patient has herpes simplex 2 viral infection (HSV-2). The nurse recognizes that which of the following should be included in teaching the patient?

Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms.

A patient has herpes simplex 2 viral infection (HSV-2). The nurse recognizes that which of the following should be included in teaching the patient?

Treatment is focused on relieving symptoms.

A nurse is teaching a community class about reducing the risk of STIs. Which recommendation would be included in the presentation?

Use latex condoms with nonoxynol-9 (a spermicide) when having oral, vaginal, or anal intercourse.

After a routine physical exam, a female client is devastated to receive a diagnosis of the sexually transmitted infection, gonorrhea. What would contribute to the client's ignorance of this condition?

being asymptomatic