Chapter 28: Infections

A pregnant client is diagnosed with syphilis. Which interviewing question would demonstrate respect for the client and therapeutic communication?

"I am sure it is frightening to you to be diagnosed with a disease that can affect your baby."

A client has been recently diagnosed with genital herpes and asks, "Why am I having so many recurring outbreaks of the infection?" What is the nurse's best response?

"Stress-reducing strategies may help prevent the outbreaks."

A group of nurses are attending an in-service program on STIs. The group demonstrates understanding of the information when they identify which STI as the most commonly reported bacterial STI in the United States?

Chlamydia

A client presents with vulvar itching and diffuse green vaginal discharge. Upon evaluation, she is prescribed metronidazole. What is the paramount nursing intervention in discharge planning?

Instruct the client not to drink alcohol with this treatment.

Which factor in a client's history indicates she is at risk for candidiasis?

Use of corticosteroids

A pregnant client has been diagnosed as having a urinary tract infection (UTI). Which of the following instructions regarding control of the infection should the nurse provide the client?

Wear cotton underwear

A woman with a history of genital lesions caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) has been admitted to the labor unit at 39 weeks' gestation. She said she was given medicine prophylaxically a few weeks ago to prevent lesions at the time of birth. Which medication is safe to give to a pregnant women with HSV?

acyclovir

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

burning on urination

A woman seen in the emergency department is diagnosed with primary syphilis. What finding is most likely?

chancres at the vaginal site

A nurse is required to assess a client reporting unusual vaginal discharge for bacterial vaginosis. For which classic manifestation of this condition should the nurse assess?

characteristic "stale fish" odor

Which finding would the nurse expect in a client with bacterial vaginosis?

fish-like odor of discharge

The nurse is caring for a 14-year-old girl who fears she might have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). What would the nurse expect to assess if the adolescent has trichomoniasis?

green vaginal discharge

When developing a teaching plan for a community group about HIV infection, which group would the nurse identify being most vulnerable for HIV infection?

heterosexual women

Which stage of syphilis occurs when the infected person has no signs or symptoms of syphilis?

latency

A client is diagnosed with trichomoniasis infection. The nurse prepares to teach the client about which medication?

metronidazole

A young woman presents with vaginal itching and irritation of recent onset. Her labia are swollen, and she has a frothy yellowish discharge with an unpleasant smell and a pH of 6.8. She has been celibate during the last six months and has been taking antibiotics for a throat infection. Which medication is most likely to clear her symptoms?

metronidazole

What is the medication of choice for early syphilis?

penicillin G benzathine

A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis. What is a symptom of bacterial vaginosis?

vaginal odor smelling of fish

A client is returning with a third vaginal infection within a six-month period. During the health assessment, the nurse should ask about the client's use of which products?

douches deodorants