Female Reproductive Disorder Practice Questions
NCLEX
The nurse is counseling a postmenopausal woman about her new stress
incontinence. Which statement by the nurse is most important?
a. "You can try a variety of briefs and undergarments."
b. "It will be important to keep that area clean and dry."
c. "I can refer you to a good incontinence clinic."
d. "Unfortunately, incontinence is common in women your age."
ANS: B
After menopause, the vagina becomes dry, thinner, and smoother. This atrophy places
the vagina at risk for infection. The combination of this fact with the presence of urine
places the woman at higher risk for infection. The nurse should teach the client good
hygienic practices to reduce the likelihood of infection. Education about
briefs/undergarments may be needed, and a referral to an incontinence clinic would be
very helpful, but neither takes priority over preventing infection. Stating that
incontinence is common is not a helpful strategy.
Which question is most important for the nurse to ask the client with a cystocele
who is schedule to have a pessary inserted?
a. "Do you know if you are allergic to latex?"
b. "When did you started having incontinence?:
c. 'When was your last bowel movement?"
d. "Are you experiencing any pelvic pressure?"
ANS: A
The client should be assessed for allergies to latex as a result of the composition of the
pessary
The nurse is preparing a teaching plan for a client who is scheduled to undergo
mammography for the first time. What instruction by the nurse is accurate?
a. "The test should be carried out even if you are pregnant."
b. "Do not use deodorant on breasts or underarms before the test."
c. "You will not experience any discomfort because this is just an x-ray."
d. "The entire test should not take longer than 1 hour."
ANS: B
The client should be reminded not to use creams, powders, or deodorant on breast or
underarm areas before mammography because these products can show on the x-ray.
The test should be rescheduled if any possibility exists that the client is pregnant.
Women can experience discomfort as the breasts are compressed. The test is generally
much less than an hour in duration.
The nurse is conducting a reproductive assessment of a postmenopausal
woman. Which assessment finding reported by the client requires immediate
intervention by the nurse?
a. Urinary incontinence
b. Vaginal dryness
c. Painful intercourse
d. Returning periods
,ANS: D
All client reports require some action by the nurse, but the priority would be to further
investigate and report the "returning periods." In a postmenopausal woman, this can
signal cancer.
The nurse is working with a client who is recovering after a cervical biopsy.
Which statement by the client indicates a need for further instruction?
a. "I can resume vaginal intercourse after 6 weeks."
b. "I should report heavy bleeding to the health care provider."
c. "I must not lift heavy objects for about 2 weeks."
d. "I will use the antiseptic rinse on a regular basis."
ANS: A
The client should be instructed to keep the perineum clean and dry by using antiseptic
solution rinses (as directed by her health care provider) and changing pads frequently.
In addition, the client is instructed not to lift heavy objects for 2 weeks and to report
excessive bleeding (more than like a normal period). She can resume intercourse in
about 2 weeks, when the site has healed; she does not need to wait 6 weeks.
The nurse is working with a client who is recovering after a laparoscopy. Which
assessment finding is considered a priority by the nurse?
a. Slight drainage from the incision site
b. Grogginess after the anesthesia
c. Discomfort from the catheter
d. Reports of shoulder pain
ANS: D
Clients should expect mild drainage or blood from the incision site. Grogginess from the
anesthesia and discomfort from a catheter are also expected minor occurrences post-
laparoscopy. The nurse would not be concerned about these but should intervene and
treat the client with shoulder pain. Shoulder pain is referred pain from phrenic nerve
irritation and can be expected.
A postmenopausal client says that she is experiencing difficulty with vaginal
dryness during intercourse and wonders what might be causing this. Which is the
nurse's best response?
a. "The less frequently you have intercourse, the drier the vaginal tissues
become."
b. "Estrogen deficiency causes the vaginal tissues to become drier and thinner."
c. "Drinking at least 3 liters of water each day will make all your tissues less dry."
d. "Try using a water-soluble lubricant during intercourse."
ANS: B
Estrogen deprivation, which occurs as a result of menopause, decreases the moisture-
secreting capacity of vaginal cells, thereby making the area drier. The vaginal tissues
also become thinner and the rugae become smoother. Reduced frequency of
intercourse will not dry out the vaginal tissues. Drinking excess water will not make the
tissues less dry. A water-soluble lubricant may make intercourse less difficult. However,
the client is asking what causes the problem.
The nurse is assessing a client with a history of irregular periods. Which
condition does the nurse possibly correlate with this problem?
a. Childhood mumps
,b. Past valve replacement surgery
c. Diabetes mellitus
d. Mild intermittent asthma
ANS: C
Endocrine disorders can affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function of both men
and women. Mumps would be important to know if the client were male. Past valve
replacement surgery would not be contributory. Mild intermittent asthma also would not
contribute to this problem. However, a client with more severe asthma who takes
steroids on a long-term basis may develop secondary diabetes.
A client tells the nurse she is happy that she never had children because she has
less risk of developing cancer. Which response by the nurse is best?
a. "Actually, your risk of breast cancer is slightly higher."
b. "You're right; your risk of all reproductive cancer is quite low."
c. "In reality, smoking is the leading risk factor for all types of cancer."
d. "Your risk of uterine cancer is higher because you had no children."
ANS: A
Women who have never had children have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer than
the general population. Smoking is a major risk factor for many, but not all, cancers.
Uterine cancer is not influenced by pregnancy.
A client who has had numerous children is having her annual examination. The
nurse wishes to discuss contraception, but the client is not interested. Which
action by the nurse is most appropriate?
a. Provide education on the value of spacing children.
b. Explain the many alternatives from which to choose.
c. Ask the client how her husband feels about so many children.
d. Assess the client's religious and cultural background.
ANS: D
Cultural and religious backgrounds can have a great deal of influence on clients'
attitudes toward sexuality and reproduction. Because the client does not seem
interested in the topic, the nurse should gently assess for these background influences
and respect them. Providing education that the client does not want is not helpful and is
disrespectful. Asking about the husband's preferences diminishes the nurse-client
relationship, which should be focused on the client.
The nurse is teaching a postmenopausal woman about nutrition. Which statement
by the nurse is most appropriate?
a. "Be sure to eat cereal fortified with folic acid and B vitamins."
b. "Make sure you take a calcium supplement every day."
c. "Vitamin C is important for the postmenopausal woman."
d. "You can get all the iron you need in two daily meat servings."
ANS: B
Calcium is important throughout life, but for the postmenopausal woman, it is vital to
help prevent osteoporosis. Folic acid and B and C vitamins are very important for the
woman taking oral contraceptives. Iron might be important for this client for other
reasons but is especially important for women with heavy menstrual bleeding.
Which intervention should the nurse include when teaching the client who is
having an anterior colporrhaphy to repair a cystocele?
, a. Discuss the need to perform perineal care every 4 hours
b. Discuss the care of an indwelling catheter for at least one month
c. Instruct the client how to care for the pessary inserted in surgery
d. Teach the client how to perform Kegel exercises.
ANS: D
The client should be taught how to perform kegel exercises to strengthen the muscles.
The nurse is counseling a mother who wants her teenage daughter to have a Pap
smear and pelvic examination. Which statement by the nurse is most accurate?
a. "If your daughter is over 18, she needs a pelvic examination and Pap smear."
b. "A teenager does not need this examination unless she is sexually active."
c. "Teach her to have her first examination by the age of 21 at the latest."
d. "It is not needed unless you are worried about sexually transmitted diseases."
ANS: C
A woman needs to have her first pelvic examination with Pap smear by the age of 21, or
within 3 years of becoming sexually active. The other statements are not accurate.
A young woman is not pregnant but has not had a menstrual period for 5 months.
Which factors does the nurse explore as a possible cause of the amenorrhea?
a. The client's mother having type 2 diabetes mellitus
b. Running 10 to 15 miles/day
c. Taking aspirin daily
d. Having a diet high in protein
ANS: B
Excessive exercise, with corresponding loss of body fat, is associated with insufficient
estrogen levels for the maintenance of normal ovulatory and menstrual cycles. The
other factors are noncontributory.
When scheduling an annual pelvic examination and Pap test, the client asks if
she should abstain from intercourse before the test. Which is the nurse's best
response?
a. "Yes. Avoid having intercourse for 24 hours before the test."
b. "Yes. Avoid having intercourse for 2 hours before the test."
c. "No. Intercourse does not interfere with this test."
d. "No. Intercourse can actually enhance the test results."
ANS: A
The woman should not douche, use vaginal medications or deodorants, or have sexual
intercourse for at least 24 hours before the test. Such activities may prevent the
accurate evaluation of smears, cultures, and cytologic data.
The nurse is assessing the client diagnosed with rectocele. Which signs and
symptoms should the nurse expect? Select all that apply.
a. Rectal Pressure
b. Flatus
c. Fecal incontinence
d. Constipation
e. Urinary Frequency
ANS: A,B,C,D
A rectocele cause the rectum to be pouched upward, causing rectal pressure. When the
NCLEX
The nurse is counseling a postmenopausal woman about her new stress
incontinence. Which statement by the nurse is most important?
a. "You can try a variety of briefs and undergarments."
b. "It will be important to keep that area clean and dry."
c. "I can refer you to a good incontinence clinic."
d. "Unfortunately, incontinence is common in women your age."
ANS: B
After menopause, the vagina becomes dry, thinner, and smoother. This atrophy places
the vagina at risk for infection. The combination of this fact with the presence of urine
places the woman at higher risk for infection. The nurse should teach the client good
hygienic practices to reduce the likelihood of infection. Education about
briefs/undergarments may be needed, and a referral to an incontinence clinic would be
very helpful, but neither takes priority over preventing infection. Stating that
incontinence is common is not a helpful strategy.
Which question is most important for the nurse to ask the client with a cystocele
who is schedule to have a pessary inserted?
a. "Do you know if you are allergic to latex?"
b. "When did you started having incontinence?:
c. 'When was your last bowel movement?"
d. "Are you experiencing any pelvic pressure?"
ANS: A
The client should be assessed for allergies to latex as a result of the composition of the
pessary
The nurse is preparing a teaching plan for a client who is scheduled to undergo
mammography for the first time. What instruction by the nurse is accurate?
a. "The test should be carried out even if you are pregnant."
b. "Do not use deodorant on breasts or underarms before the test."
c. "You will not experience any discomfort because this is just an x-ray."
d. "The entire test should not take longer than 1 hour."
ANS: B
The client should be reminded not to use creams, powders, or deodorant on breast or
underarm areas before mammography because these products can show on the x-ray.
The test should be rescheduled if any possibility exists that the client is pregnant.
Women can experience discomfort as the breasts are compressed. The test is generally
much less than an hour in duration.
The nurse is conducting a reproductive assessment of a postmenopausal
woman. Which assessment finding reported by the client requires immediate
intervention by the nurse?
a. Urinary incontinence
b. Vaginal dryness
c. Painful intercourse
d. Returning periods
,ANS: D
All client reports require some action by the nurse, but the priority would be to further
investigate and report the "returning periods." In a postmenopausal woman, this can
signal cancer.
The nurse is working with a client who is recovering after a cervical biopsy.
Which statement by the client indicates a need for further instruction?
a. "I can resume vaginal intercourse after 6 weeks."
b. "I should report heavy bleeding to the health care provider."
c. "I must not lift heavy objects for about 2 weeks."
d. "I will use the antiseptic rinse on a regular basis."
ANS: A
The client should be instructed to keep the perineum clean and dry by using antiseptic
solution rinses (as directed by her health care provider) and changing pads frequently.
In addition, the client is instructed not to lift heavy objects for 2 weeks and to report
excessive bleeding (more than like a normal period). She can resume intercourse in
about 2 weeks, when the site has healed; she does not need to wait 6 weeks.
The nurse is working with a client who is recovering after a laparoscopy. Which
assessment finding is considered a priority by the nurse?
a. Slight drainage from the incision site
b. Grogginess after the anesthesia
c. Discomfort from the catheter
d. Reports of shoulder pain
ANS: D
Clients should expect mild drainage or blood from the incision site. Grogginess from the
anesthesia and discomfort from a catheter are also expected minor occurrences post-
laparoscopy. The nurse would not be concerned about these but should intervene and
treat the client with shoulder pain. Shoulder pain is referred pain from phrenic nerve
irritation and can be expected.
A postmenopausal client says that she is experiencing difficulty with vaginal
dryness during intercourse and wonders what might be causing this. Which is the
nurse's best response?
a. "The less frequently you have intercourse, the drier the vaginal tissues
become."
b. "Estrogen deficiency causes the vaginal tissues to become drier and thinner."
c. "Drinking at least 3 liters of water each day will make all your tissues less dry."
d. "Try using a water-soluble lubricant during intercourse."
ANS: B
Estrogen deprivation, which occurs as a result of menopause, decreases the moisture-
secreting capacity of vaginal cells, thereby making the area drier. The vaginal tissues
also become thinner and the rugae become smoother. Reduced frequency of
intercourse will not dry out the vaginal tissues. Drinking excess water will not make the
tissues less dry. A water-soluble lubricant may make intercourse less difficult. However,
the client is asking what causes the problem.
The nurse is assessing a client with a history of irregular periods. Which
condition does the nurse possibly correlate with this problem?
a. Childhood mumps
,b. Past valve replacement surgery
c. Diabetes mellitus
d. Mild intermittent asthma
ANS: C
Endocrine disorders can affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function of both men
and women. Mumps would be important to know if the client were male. Past valve
replacement surgery would not be contributory. Mild intermittent asthma also would not
contribute to this problem. However, a client with more severe asthma who takes
steroids on a long-term basis may develop secondary diabetes.
A client tells the nurse she is happy that she never had children because she has
less risk of developing cancer. Which response by the nurse is best?
a. "Actually, your risk of breast cancer is slightly higher."
b. "You're right; your risk of all reproductive cancer is quite low."
c. "In reality, smoking is the leading risk factor for all types of cancer."
d. "Your risk of uterine cancer is higher because you had no children."
ANS: A
Women who have never had children have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer than
the general population. Smoking is a major risk factor for many, but not all, cancers.
Uterine cancer is not influenced by pregnancy.
A client who has had numerous children is having her annual examination. The
nurse wishes to discuss contraception, but the client is not interested. Which
action by the nurse is most appropriate?
a. Provide education on the value of spacing children.
b. Explain the many alternatives from which to choose.
c. Ask the client how her husband feels about so many children.
d. Assess the client's religious and cultural background.
ANS: D
Cultural and religious backgrounds can have a great deal of influence on clients'
attitudes toward sexuality and reproduction. Because the client does not seem
interested in the topic, the nurse should gently assess for these background influences
and respect them. Providing education that the client does not want is not helpful and is
disrespectful. Asking about the husband's preferences diminishes the nurse-client
relationship, which should be focused on the client.
The nurse is teaching a postmenopausal woman about nutrition. Which statement
by the nurse is most appropriate?
a. "Be sure to eat cereal fortified with folic acid and B vitamins."
b. "Make sure you take a calcium supplement every day."
c. "Vitamin C is important for the postmenopausal woman."
d. "You can get all the iron you need in two daily meat servings."
ANS: B
Calcium is important throughout life, but for the postmenopausal woman, it is vital to
help prevent osteoporosis. Folic acid and B and C vitamins are very important for the
woman taking oral contraceptives. Iron might be important for this client for other
reasons but is especially important for women with heavy menstrual bleeding.
Which intervention should the nurse include when teaching the client who is
having an anterior colporrhaphy to repair a cystocele?
, a. Discuss the need to perform perineal care every 4 hours
b. Discuss the care of an indwelling catheter for at least one month
c. Instruct the client how to care for the pessary inserted in surgery
d. Teach the client how to perform Kegel exercises.
ANS: D
The client should be taught how to perform kegel exercises to strengthen the muscles.
The nurse is counseling a mother who wants her teenage daughter to have a Pap
smear and pelvic examination. Which statement by the nurse is most accurate?
a. "If your daughter is over 18, she needs a pelvic examination and Pap smear."
b. "A teenager does not need this examination unless she is sexually active."
c. "Teach her to have her first examination by the age of 21 at the latest."
d. "It is not needed unless you are worried about sexually transmitted diseases."
ANS: C
A woman needs to have her first pelvic examination with Pap smear by the age of 21, or
within 3 years of becoming sexually active. The other statements are not accurate.
A young woman is not pregnant but has not had a menstrual period for 5 months.
Which factors does the nurse explore as a possible cause of the amenorrhea?
a. The client's mother having type 2 diabetes mellitus
b. Running 10 to 15 miles/day
c. Taking aspirin daily
d. Having a diet high in protein
ANS: B
Excessive exercise, with corresponding loss of body fat, is associated with insufficient
estrogen levels for the maintenance of normal ovulatory and menstrual cycles. The
other factors are noncontributory.
When scheduling an annual pelvic examination and Pap test, the client asks if
she should abstain from intercourse before the test. Which is the nurse's best
response?
a. "Yes. Avoid having intercourse for 24 hours before the test."
b. "Yes. Avoid having intercourse for 2 hours before the test."
c. "No. Intercourse does not interfere with this test."
d. "No. Intercourse can actually enhance the test results."
ANS: A
The woman should not douche, use vaginal medications or deodorants, or have sexual
intercourse for at least 24 hours before the test. Such activities may prevent the
accurate evaluation of smears, cultures, and cytologic data.
The nurse is assessing the client diagnosed with rectocele. Which signs and
symptoms should the nurse expect? Select all that apply.
a. Rectal Pressure
b. Flatus
c. Fecal incontinence
d. Constipation
e. Urinary Frequency
ANS: A,B,C,D
A rectocele cause the rectum to be pouched upward, causing rectal pressure. When the
