Chapter 53 Female Reproductive Cycle I

A patient who has just delivered her baby asks the nurse if she needs to continue taking her iron supplement. What instruction will the nurse provide to the patient? a. "Continue taking iron for 6 more weeks." b. "Stop taking the iron supplement now." c. "Take the iron supplement while nursing." d. "Take the iron only if your hemoglobin is low."

a. "Continue taking iron for 6 more weeks"

A pregnant woman asks the nurse if she must give up caffeinated coffee while pregnant. How will the nurse advise the patient? a. "Two cups of coffee can increase your risk of spontaneous abortion." b. "Drinking fewer than 6 cups of coffee per day is not harmful." c. "You may consume coffee freely during your third trimester." d. "There is evidence that caffeine is teratogenic.

a. "Two cups of coffee can increase your risk of spontaneous abortion"

A pregnant woman who has morning sickness asks the nurse what she can do to decrease her symptoms. The nurse will counsel her to take which action? a. Avoid fatty foods. b. Drink fluids with meals. c. Eat a large lunch and dinner. d. Take an iron supplement in the morning.

a. Avoid fatty foods.

The nurse is caring for a woman who is experiencing premature labor. The provider has ordered intravenous terbutaline (Brethine) to be given. The nurse will explain that this medication will have which action? a. It will decrease uterine contractions. b. It will enhance fetal lung development. c. It will increase fetal blood supply. d. It will lower her blood pressure.

a. It will decrease uterine contractions

A woman who is in her third trimester of pregnancy asks the nurse why she cannot take ibuprofen instead of acetaminophen for headaches. The nurse will explain that NSAIDs a. will affect her fetus. b. have renal toxicity. c. induce premature labor. d. prolong labor.

a. will affect her fetus

A young woman who is contemplating pregnancy asks the nurse what she can do to get healthy in preparation for pregnancy. The nurse will recommend which dietary supplement? a. 60 mg of elemental iron per day b. 400 mg of folic acid per day c. 400 IU of vitamin D per day d. 1200 mg of calcium per da

b. 400 mg of folic acid per day

A woman who is pregnant tells the nurse she has frequent heartburn in spite of eating small meals slowly; avoiding greasy, gas-forming foods, and remaining upright for 30 minutes after eating. The nurse will recommend which over-the-counter product? a. Alka-Seltzer b. Magaldrate c.Pepcid d. TUMS

b. Magaldrate

The nurse is teaching a woman who is pregnant about iron supplementation. Which statement by the woman indicates understanding of the teaching? a. "I may take the iron with an antacid to reduce gastrointestinal upset." b. "I should drink a glass of milk with iron to increase absorption." c. "I should take the iron supplement with a glass of orange juice." d. "I will stop taking the iron if my stools turn black and tarry."

c. "I should take the iron supplement with a glass of orange juice."

Which statement by the nurse is accurate regarding iron supplementation during pregnancy? a. "All women should take iron supplements throughout their pregnancy." b. "Iron supplements are given to supply the fetus." c. "Iron supplements usually are not necessary until the second trimester." d. "The greatest iron demand is in the first trimester of pregnancy."

c. "Iron supplements usually are not necessary until the second trimester"

A woman who is experiencing premature labor is being given betamethasone (Celestone). Sheasks the nurse why this drug is being given. The nurse will explain that betamethasone is given for which reason? a. It lowers her blood pressure and prevents seizures. b. It prevents closure of the ductus arterioles. c. It prevents respiratory distress in her infant. d. It stops her contractions.

c. It prevents respiratory distress in her infant

A pregnant woman reports having constipation and has tried dietary changes without success. What will the nurse recommend? a. Bisacodyl (Dulcolax) b. Mineral oil c. Psyllium (Metamucil) d. Senna (Senokot)

c. Psyllium (Metamucil)

The nurse is caring for a patient who is 6 to 7 weeks pregnant and has moderate to severe vomiting. The provider has ordered doxylamine (Unisom) and intravenous fluids. The patient reports a history of asthma and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The nurse will hold the drug and contact the provider because doxylamine should not be given to patients who a. are pregnant. b. are in their first trimester. c. have asthma. d. have diabetes.

c. have asthma

The nurse is caring for a woman who is in labor and has a blood pressure of 180/98 mm Hg with proteinuria of 400 mg/24 hours. The woman is receiving magnesium sulfate. The womanbecomes lethargic with slurring of her speech and decreased muscle tone. Her serum magnesium sulfate level is 11 mEq/L. The nurse recognizes which condition in this patient? a. Abruptio placenta b. Hypertensive crisis c. Impending eclampsia d. Magnesium toxicity

d. Magnesium toxicity

A woman who is 4 weeks pregnant is worried that a medication she took until 3 weeks ago may cause birth defects. The nurse will tell her that a. drugs taken in the first week of pregnancy can cause CNS defects. b. medications have increased teratogenicity during the first week of pregnancy. c. she should have an ultrasound immediately. d. teratogenic effects are rare in the first 2 weeks of pregnancy

d. teratogenic effects are rare in the first 2 weeks of pregnancy

A pregnant woman asks the nurse about whether a medication is safe to take during pregnancy. The nurse notes that the drug has a low molecular weight. Based on this drug characteristic, the nurse understands that this drug a. can cause greater gastrointestinal distress and hyperemesis. b. has reduced renal elimination resulting in toxicity. c. is more sensitive to metabolism by circulating maternal hormones. d. will be more likely to cross the placenta and affect the fetus.

d. will be more likely to cross the placenta and affect the fetus

A 56-year-old woman is concerned about having a moderate amount of vaginal bleeding after 4 years of menopause. The nurse will anticipate teaching the patient about a. endometrial biopsy. b. endometrial ablation. c. uterine balloon therapy. d. dilation and curettage (D&C).

ANS: A A postmenopausal woman with vaginal bleeding should be evaluated for endometrial cancer, and endometrial biopsy is the primary test for endometrial cancer. D&C will be needed only if the biopsy does not provide sufficient information to make a diagnosis. Endometrial ablation and balloon therapy are used to treat menorrhagia, which is unlikely in this patient

Which statement by the patient indicates that the nurse's teaching about treating vaginal candidiasis has been effective? a. "I should clean carefully after each urination and bowel movement." b. "I can douche with warm water if the itching continues to bother me." c. "I will insert the antifungal cream right before I get up in the morning." d. "I will tell my husband that we cannot have intercourse for the next month."

ANS: A Cleaning of the perineal area will decrease itching caused by contact of the irritated tissues with urine and reduce the chance of further infection of irritated tissues by bacteria in the stool. Sexual intercourse should be avoided for 1 week. Douching will disrupt normal protective mechanisms in the vagina. The cream should be used at night so that it will remain in the vagina for longer periods of time

A 58-year-old patient who has undergone a radical vulvectomy for vulvar carcinoma returns to the medical-surgical unit after the surgery. The priority nursing diagnosis for the patient at this time is a. risk for infection related to contact of the wound with urine and stool. b. self-care deficit: bathing/hygiene related to pain and difficulty moving. c. imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements related to low-residue diet. d. risk for ineffective sexual pattern related to disfiguration caused by the surgery.

ANS: A Complex and meticulous wound care is needed to prevent infection and delayed wound healing. The other nursing diagnoses may also be appropriate for the patient but are not the highest priority immediately after surgery

A 22-year-old tells the nurse that she has not had a menstrual period for the last 2 months. Which action is most important for the nurse to take? a. Obtain a urine specimen for a pregnancy test. b. Ask about any recent stressful lifestyle changes. c. Measure the patient's current height and weight. d. Question the patient about prescribed medications.

ANS: A Pregnancy should always be considered a possible cause of amenorrhea in women of childbearing age. The other actions are also appropriate, but it is important to check for pregnancy in this patient because pregnancy will require rapid implementation of actions to promote normal fetal development such as changes in lifestyle, folic acid intake, etc.

A 28-year-old patient with endometriosis asks why she is being treated with medroxyprogesterone (Depo-Provera), a medication that she thought was an oral contraceptive. The nurse explains that this therapy a. suppresses the menstrual cycle by mimicking pregnancy. b. will relieve symptoms such as vaginal atrophy and hot flashes. c. prevents a pregnancy that could worsen the menstrual bleeding. d. will lead to permanent suppression of abnormal endometrial tissues.

ANS: A Depo-Provera induces a pseudopregnancy, which suppresses ovulation and causes shrinkage of endometrial tissue. Menstrual bleeding does not occur during pregnancy. Vaginal atrophy and hot flashes are caused by synthetic androgens such as danazol or gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GNRH) such as leuprolide. Although hormonal therapies will control endometriosis while the therapy is used, endometriosis will recur once the menstrual cycle is reestablished

The nurse will plan to teach the female patient with genital warts about the a. importance of regular Pap tests. b. increased risk for endometrial cancer. c. appropriate use of oral contraceptives. d. symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

ANS: A Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and increase the risk for cervical cancer. There is no indication that the patient needs teaching about PID, oral contraceptives, or endometrial cancer

A 50-year-old patient is diagnosed with uterine bleeding caused by a leiomyoma. Which information will the nurse include in the patient teaching plan? a. The symptoms may decrease after the patient undergoes menopause. b. The tumor size is likely to increase throughout the patient's lifetime. c. Aspirin or acetaminophen may be used to control mild to moderate pain. d. The patient will need frequent monitoring to detect any malignant changes.

ANS: A Leiomyomas appear to depend on ovarian hormones and will atrophy after menopause, leading to a decrease in symptoms. Aspirin use is discouraged because the antiplatelet effects may lead to heavier uterine bleeding. The size of the tumor will shrink after menopause. Leiomyomas are benign tumors that do not undergo malignant changes.

A 48-year-old woman in the emergency department reports that she has been sexually assaulted. Which action by the nurse will be most important in maintaining the medicolegal chain of evidence? a. Labeling all specimens and other materials obtained from the patient. b. Assisting the patient in filling out the application for financial compensation. c. Discussing the availability of the "morning-after pill" for pregnancy prevention. d. Educating the patient about baseline sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing.

ANS: A The careful labeling of specimens and materials will assist in maintaining the chain of evidence. Assisting with paperwork, and discussing STIs and pregnancy prevention are interventions that might be appropriate after sexual assault, but they do not help maintain the legal chain of evidence

A 19-year-old visits the health clinic for a routine checkup. Which question should the nurse ask to determine whether a Pap test is needed? a. "Have you had sexual intercourse?" b. "Do you use any illegal substances?" c. "Do you have cramping with your periods?" d. "At what age did your menstrual periods start?"

ANS: A The current American Cancer Society recommendation is that a Pap test be done every 3 years, starting 3 years after the first sexual intercourse and no later than age 21. The information about menstrual periods and substance abuse will not help determine whether the patient requires a Pap test

A 54-year-old patient is on the surgical unit after a radical abdominal hysterectomy. Which finding is most important to report to the health care provider? a. Urine output of 125 mL in the first 8 hours after surgery b. Decreased bowel sounds in all four abdominal quadrants c. One-inch area of bloody drainage on the abdominal dressing d. Complaints of abdominal pain at the incision site with coughing

ANS: A The decreased urine output indicates possible low blood volume and further assessment is needed to assess for possible internal bleeding. Decreased bowel sounds, minor drainage on the dressing, and abdominal pain with coughing are expected after this surgery

A 32-year-old woman brought to the emergency department reports being sexually assaulted. The patient is confused about where she is and she has a large laceration above the right eye. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Assess the patient's neurologic status. b. Assist the patient to remove her clothing. c. Contact the sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE). d. Ask the patient to describe what occurred during the assault.

ANS: A The first priority is to treat urgent medical problems associated with the sexual assault. The patient's head injury may be associated with a head trauma such as a skull fracture or subdural hematoma. Therefore her neurologic status should be assessed first. The other nursing actions are also appropriate, but they are not as high in priority as assessment and treatment for acute physiologic injury

A 28-year-old patient reports anxiety, headaches with dizziness, and abdominal bloating occurring before her menstrual periods. Which action is best for the nurse to take at this time? a. Ask the patient to keep track of her symptoms in a diary for 3 months. b. Suggest that the patient try aerobic exercise to decrease her symptoms. c. Teach the patient about appropriate lifestyle changes to reduce premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. d. Advise the patient to use nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil) to control symptoms.

ANS: A The patient's symptoms indicate possible PMS, but they also may be associated with other diagnoses. Having the patient keep a symptom diary for 2 or 3 months will help in confirming a diagnosis of PMS. The nurse should not implement interventions for PMS until a diagnosis is made

Which topic will the nurse include in the preoperative teaching for a patient admitted for an abdominal hysterectomy? a. Purpose of ambulation and leg exercises b. Adverse effects of systemic chemotherapy c. Decrease in vaginal sensation after surgery d. Symptoms caused by the drop in estrogen level

ANS: A Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a potential complication after the surgery, and the nurse will instruct the patient about ways to prevent it. Vaginal sensation is decreased after a vaginal hysterectomy but not after abdominal hysterectomy. Leiomyomas are benign tumors, so chemotherapy and radiation will not be prescribed. Because the patient will still have her ovaries, the estrogen level will not decrease

When caring for a 58-year-old patient with persistent menorrhagia, the nurse will plan to monitor the a. estrogen level. b. complete blood count (CBC). c. gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GNRH) level. d. serial human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) results.

ANS: B Because anemia is a likely complication of menorrhagia, the nurse will need to check the CBC. Estrogen and GNRH levels are checked for patients with other problems, such as infertility. Serial hCG levels are monitored in patients who may be pregnant, which is not likely for this patient

Which nonhormonal therapies will the nurse suggest for a healthy perimenopausal woman who prefers not to use hormone therapy (HT) (select all that apply)? a. Reduce coffee intake. b. Exercise several times a week. c. Take black cohosh supplements. d. Have a glass of wine in the evening. e. Increase intake of dietary soy products.

ANS: A, B, C, E Reduction in caffeine intake, use of black cohosh, increasing dietary soy intake, and exercising three to four times weekly are recommended to reduce symptoms associated with menopause. Alcohol intake in the evening may increase the sleep problems associated with menopause

A 31-year-old patient who has been diagnosed with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection gives a health history that includes smoking tobacco, taking oral contraceptives, and having been treated twice for vaginal candidiasis. Which topic will the nurse include in patient teaching? a. Use of water-soluble lubricants b. Risk factors for cervical cancer c. Antifungal cream administration d. Possible difficulties with conception

ANS: B Because HPV infection and smoking are both associated with increased cervical cancer risk, the nurse should emphasize the importance of avoiding smoking. An HPV infection does not decrease vaginal lubrication, decrease ability to conceive, or require the use of antifungal creams.

A 25-year-old woman has an induced abortion with suction curettage at an ambulatory surgical center. Which instructions will the nurse include when discharging the patient? a. "Heavy vaginal bleeding is expected for about 2 weeks." b. "You should abstain from sexual intercourse for 2 weeks." c. "Contraceptives should be avoided until your reexamination." d. "Irregular menstrual periods are expected for the next few months."

ANS: B Because infection is a possible complication of this procedure, the patient is advised to avoid intercourse until the reexamination in 2 weeks. Patients may be started on contraceptives on the day of the procedure. The patient should call the doctor if heavy vaginal bleeding occurs. No change in the regularity of the menstrual periods is expected

The nurse will plan to teach a 34-year-old patient diagnosed with stage 0 cervical cancer about a. radiation. b. conization. c. chemotherapy. d. radical hysterectomy.

ANS: B Because the carcinoma is in situ, conization can be used for treatment. Radical hysterectomy, chemotherapy, or radiation will not be needed

A 32-year-old who was admitted to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain is diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy. The patient begins to cry and asks the nurse to leave her alone to grieve. Which action should the nurse take next? a. Stay with the patient and encourage her to discuss her feelings. b. Explain the reason for taking vital signs every 15 to 30 minutes. c. Close the door to the patient's room and minimize disturbances. d. Provide teaching about options for termination of the pregnancy.

ANS: B Because the patient is at risk for rupture of the fallopian tube and hemorrhage, frequent monitoring of vital signs is needed. The patient has asked to be left alone, so staying with her and encouraging her to discuss her feelings are inappropriate actions. Minimizing contact with her and closing the door of the room is unsafe because of the risk for hemorrhage. Because the patient has requested time to grieve, it would be inappropriate to provide teaching about options for pregnancy termination

A 29-year-old patient who is trying to become pregnant asks the nurse how to determine when she is most likely to conceive. The nurse explains that a. ovulation is unpredictable unless there are regular menstrual periods. b. ovulation prediction kits provide accurate information about ovulation. c. she will need to bring a specimen of cervical mucus to the clinic for testing. d. she should take her body temperature daily and have intercourse when it drops.

ANS: B Ovulation prediction kits indicate when luteinizing hormone (LH) levels first rise. Ovulation occurs about 28 to 36 hours after the first rise of LH. This information can be used to determine the best time for intercourse. Body temperature rises at ovulation. Postcoital cervical smears are used in infertility testing, but they do not predict the best time for conceiving and are not obtained by the patient. Determination of the time of ovulation can be predicted by basal body temperature charts or ovulation prediction kits and is not dependent on regular menstrual periods

A healthy 28-year-old who has been vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) has a normal Pap test. Which information will the nurse include in patient teaching when calling the patient with the results of the Pap test? a. You can wait until age 30 before having another Pap test. b. Pap testing is recommended every 3 years for women your age. c. No further Pap testing is needed until you decide to become pregnant. d. Yearly Pap testing is suggested for women with multiple sexual partners.

ANS: B The current national guidelines suggest Pap testing every 3 years for patients between ages 21 to 65. Although HPV immunization does protect against cervical cancer, the recommendations are unchanged for individuals who have received the HPV vaccination

A 63-year-old woman undergoes an anterior and posterior (A&P) colporrhaphy for repair of a cystocele and rectocele. Which nursing action will be included in the postoperative care plan? a. Encourage a high-fiber diet. b. Perform indwelling catheter care. c. Repack the vagina with gauze daily. d. Teach the patient to insert a pessary.

ANS: B The patient will have a retention catheter for several days after surgery to keep the bladder empty and decrease strain on the suture. A pessary will not be needed after the surgery. Vaginal wound packing is not usually used after an A&P repair. A low-residue diet will be ordered after posterior colporrhaphy

A 24-year-old patient with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is being treated with oral antibiotics as an outpatient. Which instruction will be included in patient teaching? a. Abdominal pain may persist for several weeks. b. Return for a follow-up appointment in 2 to 3 days. c. Instruct a male partner to use a condom during sexual intercourse for the next week. d. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) use may prevent pelvic organ scarring

ANS: B The patient is instructed to return for follow-up in 48 to 72 hours. The patient should abstain from intercourse for 3 weeks. Abdominal pain should subside with effective antibiotic therapy. Corticosteroids may help prevent inflammation and scarring, but NSAIDs will not decrease scarring

A 34-year-old woman who is discussing contraceptive options with the nurse says, "I want to have children, but not for a few years." Which response by the nurse is appropriate? a. "If you do not become pregnant within the next few years, you never will." b. "You may have more difficulty becoming pregnant after about age 35." c. "You have many years of fertility left, so there is no rush to have children." d. "You should plan to stop taking oral contraceptives several years before you want to become pregnant."

ANS: B The probability of successfully becoming pregnant decreases after age 35, although some patients may have no difficulty in becoming pregnant. Oral contraceptives do not need to be withdrawn for several years for a woman to become pregnant. Although the patient may be fertile for many years, it would be inaccurate to indicate that there is no concern about fertility as she becomes older. Although the risk for infertility increases after age 35, not all patients have difficulty in conceiving

Which assessment finding in a woman who recently started taking hormone therapy (HT) is most important for the nurse to report to the health care provider? a. Breast tenderness b. Left calf swelling c. Weight gain of 3 lb d. Intermittent spotting

ANS: B Unilateral calf swelling may indicate deep vein thrombosis caused by the changes in coagulation associated with HT and would indicate that the HT should be discontinued. Breast tenderness, weight gain, and intermittent spotting are common side effects of HT and do not indicate a need for a change in therapy

A 32-year-old woman is scheduled for an induced abortion using instillation of hypertonic saline solution. Which information will the nurse plan to discuss with the patient before the procedure? a. The patient will require a general anesthetic. b. The expulsion of the fetus may take 1 to 2 days. c. There is a possibility that the patient may deliver a live fetus. d. The procedure may be unsuccessful in terminating the pregnancy.

ANS: B Uterine contractions take 12 to 36 hours to begin after the hypertonic saline is instilled. Because the saline is feticidal, the nurse does not need to discuss any possibility of a live delivery or that the pregnancy termination will not be successful. General anesthesia is not needed for this procedure

Which nursing actions can the nurse working in a women's health clinic delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) (select all that apply)? a. Call a patient with the results of an endometrial biopsy. b. Assist the health care provider with performing a Pap test. c. Draw blood for CA-125 levels for a patient with ovarian cancer. d. Screen a patient for use of medications that may cause amenorrhea. e. Teach the parent of a 10-year-old about the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine (Gardasil).

ANS: B, C Assisting with a Pap test and drawing blood (if trained) are skills that require minimal critical thinking and judgment and can be safely delegated to UAP. Patient teaching, calling a patient who may have questions about results of diagnostic testing, and risk-factor screening all require more education and critical thinking and should be done by the registered nurse (RN).

Which information will the nurse include when teaching a patient who has developed a small vesicovaginal fistula 2 weeks into the postpartum period? a. Take stool softeners to prevent fecal contamination of the vagina. b. Limit oral fluid intake to minimize the quantity of urinary drainage. c. Change the perineal pad frequently to prevent perineal skin breakdown. d. Call the health care provider immediately if urine drains from the vagina.

ANS: C Because urine will leak from the bladder, the patient should plan to use perineal pads and change them frequently. A high fluid intake is recommended to decrease the risk for urinary tract infections. Drainage of urine from the vagina is expected with vesicovaginal fistulas. Fecal contamination is not a concern with vesicovaginal fistulas.

A 25-year-old woman who is scheduled for a routine gynecologic examination tells the nurse that she has had intercourse during the last year with several men. The nurse will plan to teach about the reason for a. contraceptive use. b. antibiotic therapy. c. Chlamydia testing. d. pregnancy testing.

ANS: C Chlamydia testing is recommended annually for women with multiple sex partners. There is no indication that the patient needs teaching about contraceptives, pregnancy testing, or antibiotic therapy

A 49-year-old woman is considering the use of combined estrogen-progesterone hormone replacement therapy (HT) during menopause. Which information will the nurse include during their discussion? a. Use of estrogen-containing vaginal creams provides most of the same benefits as oral HT. b. Increased incidence of colon cancer in women taking HT requires more frequent colonoscopy. c. HT decreases osteoporosis risk and increases the risk for cardiovascular disease and breast cancer. d. Use of HT for up to 10 years to prevent symptoms such as hot flashes is generally considered safe.

ANS: C Data from the Women's Health Initiative indicate an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and breast cancer in women taking combination HT but a decrease in hip fractures. Vaginal creams decrease symptoms related to vaginal atrophy and dryness, but they do not offer the other benefits of HT, such as decreased hot flashes. Most women who use HT are placed on short-term treatment and are not treated for up to 10 years. The incidence of colon cancer decreases in women taking HRT

A 27-year-old patient tells the nurse that she would like a prescription for oral contraceptives to control her premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMD-D) symptoms. Which patient information is most important to communicate to the health care provider? a. Bilateral breast tenderness b. Frequent abdominal bloating c. History of migraine headaches d. Previous spontaneous abortion

ANS: C Oral contraceptives are contraindicated in patients with a history of migraine headaches. The other patient information would not prevent the patient from receiving oral contraceptives

An 18-year-old requests a prescription for birth control pills to control severe abdominal cramping and headaches during her menstrual periods. Which should the nurse take first? a. Determine whether the patient is sexually active. b. Teach about the side effects of oral contraceptives. c. Take a personal and family health history from the patient. d. Suggest nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for relief.

ANS: C Oral contraceptives may be appropriate to control this patient's symptoms, but the patient's health history may indicate contraindications to oral contraceptive use. Because the patient is requesting contraceptives for management of dysmenorrhea, whether she is sexually active is irrelevant. Because the patient is asking for birth control pills, responding that she should try NSAIDs is nontherapeutic. The patient does not need teaching about oral contraceptive side effects at this time.

Which patient in the women's health clinic will the nurse expect to teach about an endometrial biopsy? a. The 55-year-old patient who has 3 to 4 alcoholic drinks each day b. The 35-year-old patient who has used oral contraceptives for 15 years c. The 25-year-old patient who has a family history of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer d. The 45-year-old patient who has had 6 full-term pregnancies and 2 spontaneous abortions

ANS: C Patients with a personal or familial history of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer are at increased risk for endometrial cancer. Alcohol addiction does not increase this risk. Multiple pregnancies and oral contraceptive use offer protection from endometrial cancer

Which action should the nurse take when a 35-year-old patient has a result of minor cellular changes on her Pap test? a. Teach the patient about colposcopy. b. Teach the patient about punch biopsy. c. Schedule another Pap test in 4 months. d. Administer the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

ANS: C Patients with minor changes on the Pap test can be followed with Pap tests every 4 to 6 months because these changes may revert to normal. Punch biopsy or colposcopy may be used if the Pap test shows more prominent changes. The HPV vaccine may reduce the risk for cervical cancer, but it is recommended only for ages 9 through 26.

The nurse is caring for a 20-year-old patient with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) requiring hospitalization. Which nursing intervention will be included in the plan of care? a. Monitor liver function tests. b. Use cold packs PRN for pelvic pain. c. Elevate the head of the bed to at least 30 degrees. d. Teach the patient how to perform Kegel exercises.

ANS: C The head of the bed should be elevated to at least 30 degrees to promote drainage of the pelvic cavity and prevent abscess formation higher in the abdomen. Although a possible complication of PID is acute perihepatitis, liver function tests will remain normal. There is no indication for increased fluid intake. Application of heat is used to reduce pain. Kegel exercises are not helpful in PID

A 47-year-old woman asks whether she is going into menopause if she has not had a menstrual period for 3 months. The best response by the nurse is which of the following? a. "Have you thought about using hormone replacement therapy?" b. "Most women feel a little depressed about entering menopause." c. "What was your menstrual pattern before your periods stopped?" d. "Since you are in your mid-40s, it is likely that you are menopausal."

ANS: C The initial response by the nurse should be to assess the patient's baseline menstrual pattern. Although many women do enter menopause in the mid-40s, more information about this patient is needed before telling her that it is likely she is menopausal. Although hormone therapy (HT) may be prescribed, further assessment of the patient is needed before discussing therapies for menopause. Because the response to menopause is very individual, the nurse should not assume that the patient is experiencing any adverse emotional reactions.

A nursing diagnosis that is likely to be appropriate for a 67-year-old woman who has just been diagnosed with stage III ovarian cancer is a. sexual dysfunction related to loss of vaginal sensation. b. risk for infection related to impaired immune function. c. anxiety related to cancer diagnosis and need for treatment decisions. d. situational low self-esteem related to guilt about delaying medical care.

ANS: C The patient with stage III ovarian cancer is likely to be anxious about the poor prognosis and about the need to make decisions about the multiple treatments that may be used. Decreased vaginal sensation does not occur with ovarian cancer. The patient may develop immune dysfunction when she receives chemotherapy, but she is not currently at risk. It is unlikely that the patient has delayed seeking medical care because the symptoms of ovarian cancer are vague and occur late in the course of the cancer

The nurse has just received change-of-shift report about the following four patients. Which patient should be assessed first? a. A patient with a cervical radium implant in place who is crying in her room b. A patient who is complaining of 5/10 pain after an abdominal hysterectomy c. A patient with a possible ectopic pregnancy who is complaining of shoulder pain d. A patient in the fifteenth week of gestation who has uterine cramping and spotting

ANS: C The patient with the ectopic pregnancy has symptoms consistent with rupture and needs immediate assessment for signs of hemorrhage and possible transfer to surgery. The other patients should also be assessed as quickly as possible but do not have symptoms of life-threatening complications

A female patient tells the nurse that she has been having nightmares and acute anxiety around men since being sexually assaulted 3 months ago. The most appropriate nursing diagnosis for the patient is a. anxiety related to effects of being raped. b. sleep deprivation related to frightening dreams. c. rape-trauma syndrome related to rape experience. d. ineffective coping related to inability to resolve incident.

ANS: C The patient's symptoms are most consistent with the nursing diagnosis of rape-trauma syndrome. The nursing diagnoses of sleep deprivation, ineffective coping, and anxiety address some aspects of the patient's symptoms but do not address the problem as completely as the rape-trauma syndrome diagnosis.

The nurse in the infertility clinic is explaining in vitro fertilization (IVF) to a couple. The woman tells the nurse that they cannot afford IVF on her husband's salary. The man replies that if his wife worked outside the home, they would have enough money. Which nursing diagnosis is appropriate? a. Decisional conflict related to inadequate financial resources b. Ineffective sexuality patterns related to psychological stress c. Defensive coping related to anxiety about lack of conception d. Ineffective denial related to frustration about continued infertility

ANS: C The statements made by the couple are consistent with the diagnosis of defensive coping. No data indicate that ineffective sexuality and ineffective denial are problems. Although the couple is quarreling about finances, the data do not provide information indicating that the finances are inadequate

The nurse notes that a patient who has a large cystocele, admitted 10 hours ago, has not yet voided. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Insert a straight catheter per the PRN order. b. Encourage the patient to increase oral fluids. c. Notify the health care provider of the inability to void. d. Use an ultrasound scanner to check for urinary retention.

ANS: D Because urinary retention is common with a large cystocele, the nurse's first action should be to use an ultrasound bladder scanner to check for the presence of urine in the bladder. The other actions may be appropriate, depending on the findings with the bladder scanner

A 31-year-old patient has just been instructed in the treatment for a Chlamydia trachomatis vaginal infection. Which patient statement indicates that the nurse's teaching has been effective? a. "I can purchase an over-the-counter medication to treat this infection." b. "The symptoms are due to the overgrowth of normal vaginal bacteria." c. "The medication will need to be inserted once daily with an applicator." d. "Both my partner and I will need to take the medication for a full week."

ANS: D Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection that requires treatment of both partners with antibiotics for 7 days. The other statements are true for the treatment of Candida albicans infection

A 49-year-old woman tells the nurse that she is postmenopausal but has occasional spotting. Which initial response by the nurse is most appropriate? a. "A frequent cause of spotting is endometrial cancer." b. "How long has it been since your last menstrual period?" c. "Breakthrough bleeding is not unusual in women your age." d. "Are you using prescription hormone replacement therapy?"

ANS: D In postmenopausal women, a common cause of spotting is hormone therapy (HT). Because breakthrough bleeding may be a sign of problems such as cancer or infection, the nurse would not imply that this is normal. The length of time since the last menstrual period is not relevant to the patient's symptoms. Although endometrial cancer may cause spotting, this information is not appropriate as an initial response

A 19-year-old has been diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea. How will the nurse suggest that the patient prevent discomfort? a. Avoid aerobic exercise during her menstrual period. b. Use cold packs on the abdomen and back for pain relief. c. Talk with her health care provider about beginning antidepressant therapy. d. Take nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) when her period starts.

ANS: D NSAIDs should be started as soon as the menstrual period begins and taken at regular intervals during the usual time frame in which pain occurs. Aerobic exercise may help reduce symptoms. Heat therapy, such as warm packs, is recommended for relief of pain. Antidepressant therapy is not a typical treatment for dysmenorrhea

19. A 28-year-old patient was recently diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome. It is most important for the nurse to teach the patient a. reasons for a total hysterectomy. b. how to decrease facial hair growth. c. ways to reduce the occurrence of acne. d. methods to maintain appropriate weight.

ANS: D Obesity exacerbates the problems associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The nurse should also address the problems of acne and hirsutism, but these symptoms are lower priority because they do not have long-term health consequences. Although some patients do require total hysterectomy, this is usually performed only after other therapies have been unsuccessful

To prevent pregnancy in a patient who has been sexually assaulted, the nurse in the emergency department will plan to teach the patient about the use of a. mifepristone (RU-486). b. dilation and evacuation. c. methotrexate with misoprostol. d. levonorgestrel (Plan-B One-Step).

ANS: D Plan B One-Step reduces the risk of pregnancy when taken within 72 hours of intercourse. The other methods are used for therapeutic abortion, but not for pregnancy prevention after unprotected intercourse

When caring for a patient who has a radium implant for treatment of cancer of the cervix, the nurse will a. assist the patient to ambulate every 2 to 3 hours. b. use gloves and gown when changing the patient's bed. c. flush the toilet several times right after the patient voids. d. encourage the patient to discuss needs or concerns by telephone.

ANS: D The nurse should spend minimal time in the patient's room to avoid exposure to radiation. The patient and nurse can have longer conversations by telephone between the patient room and nursing station. To prevent displacement of the implant, absolute bed rest is required. Wearing of gloves and gown when changing linens, and flushing the toilet several times are not necessary because the isotope is confined to the implant

The nurse in the women's health clinic has four patients who are waiting to be seen. Which patient should the nurse see first? a. 22-year-old with persistent red-brown vaginal drainage 3 days after having balloon thermotherapy b. 42-year-old with secondary amenorrhea who says that her last menstrual cycle was 3 months ago c. 35-year-old with heavy spotting after having a progestin-containing IUD (Mirena) inserted a month ago d. 19-year-old with menorrhagia who has been using superabsorbent tampons and has fever with weakness

ANS: D The patient's history and clinical manifestations suggest possible toxic shock syndrome, which will require rapid intervention. The symptoms for the other patients are consistent with their diagnoses and do not indicate life-threatening complications

A 32-year-old patient has oral contraceptives prescribed for endometriosis. The nurse will teach the patient to a. expect to experience side effects such as facial hair. b. take the medication every day for the next 9 months. c. take calcium supplements to prevent developing osteoporosis during therapy. d. use a second method of contraception to ensure that she will not become pregnant.

When oral contraceptives are prescribed to treat endometriosis, the patient should take the medications continuously for 9 months. Facial hair is a side effect of synthetic androgens. The patient does not need to use additional contraceptive methods. The hormones in oral contraceptives will protect against osteoporosis