STIs Nursing Quiz: Chlamydia Symptoms, Treatment NCLEX
1. Chlamydia trachomatis is classifed as what type of bacterium?
A. Gram‑positive coccus
B. Gram‑positive bacterium
C. Gram‑negative bacterium
D. Acid‑fast bacillus
The answer is C: Gram‑negative bacterium. Chlamydia trachomatis is classified as Gram‑negative because it
possesses the characteristic thin peptidoglycan layer and outer membrane with lipopolysaccharide found in
Gram‑negative bacteria.
2. A male patient presents with untreated chlamydia. How would the patient MOST likely present with a case
of epididymitis?
A. Painful ejaculation
B. Erythematous and edematous scrotum
C. Penile ulcers with discharge
D. Impotence
The answer is B. Epididymitis, often caused by Chlamydia trachomatis typically presents with localized scrotal
pain, swelling, and redness due to inflammation of the epididymis. This manifests clinically as an erythematous
(red) and edematous (swollen) scrotum, often on one side. While painful ejaculation (A) can sometimes occur, it
is not as specific or common as scrotal swelling in epididymitis. C, penile ulcers with discharge, suggest other
infections like herpes or chancroid, not chlamydia. D, impotence, is not a typical symptom of chlamydial
epididymitis.
3. A patient asks why chalmydia is often called a “silent” infection. Which statement by the nurse is correct?
A. “The infection can remain dormant for decades.”
B. “Many infected patients are asymptomatic.”
C. “Testing results often come back as false negatives.”
D. “Symptoms don’t appear until 6 months after infection.”
The answer is B: Chlamydia is often referred to as a “silent” infection because most individuals (especially
women) do not experience noticeable symptoms despite being infected. This asymptomatic nature allows the
infection to persist and spread unknowingly, increasing the risk of complications like pelvic inflammatory disease
or infertility if left untreated. Option A is incorrect because chlamydia does not remain dormant for decades like
some viruses (like HIV). C is inaccurate because testing is highly sensitive and specific. D is also false because
symptoms do occur, they typically present within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure, not months later.
4. A pregnant patient, with no known drug allergies, has tested positive for chlamydia. What medication does
the nurse anticipate the patient will be MOST likely prescribed?
A. Doxycycline
B. Amoxicillin
C. Gentamicin
D. Azithromycin
The answer is D. The nurse should anticipate that azithromycin will be prescribed for a pregnant patient with
chlamydia, as it is the recommended first-line treatment due to its proven safety and effectiveness in pregnancy.
Azithromycin is typically given as a single oral dose and is well tolerated. Doxycycline is contraindicated in
pregnancy because it can affect fetal bone growth and cause permanent tooth discoloration. Amoxicillin is
considered a second-line option and may be used if azithromycin is not tolerated, but it is not the first choice.
Gentamicin is not used to treat chlamydia and poses potential risks during pregnancy.
5. After receiving antibiotic treatment for uncomplicated chlamydia infection, the nurse will educate the patien
to abstain from sexual activity for how long?
A. 24 hours
B. 5 days
1. Chlamydia trachomatis is classifed as what type of bacterium?
A. Gram‑positive coccus
B. Gram‑positive bacterium
C. Gram‑negative bacterium
D. Acid‑fast bacillus
The answer is C: Gram‑negative bacterium. Chlamydia trachomatis is classified as Gram‑negative because it
possesses the characteristic thin peptidoglycan layer and outer membrane with lipopolysaccharide found in
Gram‑negative bacteria.
2. A male patient presents with untreated chlamydia. How would the patient MOST likely present with a case
of epididymitis?
A. Painful ejaculation
B. Erythematous and edematous scrotum
C. Penile ulcers with discharge
D. Impotence
The answer is B. Epididymitis, often caused by Chlamydia trachomatis typically presents with localized scrotal
pain, swelling, and redness due to inflammation of the epididymis. This manifests clinically as an erythematous
(red) and edematous (swollen) scrotum, often on one side. While painful ejaculation (A) can sometimes occur, it
is not as specific or common as scrotal swelling in epididymitis. C, penile ulcers with discharge, suggest other
infections like herpes or chancroid, not chlamydia. D, impotence, is not a typical symptom of chlamydial
epididymitis.
3. A patient asks why chalmydia is often called a “silent” infection. Which statement by the nurse is correct?
A. “The infection can remain dormant for decades.”
B. “Many infected patients are asymptomatic.”
C. “Testing results often come back as false negatives.”
D. “Symptoms don’t appear until 6 months after infection.”
The answer is B: Chlamydia is often referred to as a “silent” infection because most individuals (especially
women) do not experience noticeable symptoms despite being infected. This asymptomatic nature allows the
infection to persist and spread unknowingly, increasing the risk of complications like pelvic inflammatory disease
or infertility if left untreated. Option A is incorrect because chlamydia does not remain dormant for decades like
some viruses (like HIV). C is inaccurate because testing is highly sensitive and specific. D is also false because
symptoms do occur, they typically present within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure, not months later.
4. A pregnant patient, with no known drug allergies, has tested positive for chlamydia. What medication does
the nurse anticipate the patient will be MOST likely prescribed?
A. Doxycycline
B. Amoxicillin
C. Gentamicin
D. Azithromycin
The answer is D. The nurse should anticipate that azithromycin will be prescribed for a pregnant patient with
chlamydia, as it is the recommended first-line treatment due to its proven safety and effectiveness in pregnancy.
Azithromycin is typically given as a single oral dose and is well tolerated. Doxycycline is contraindicated in
pregnancy because it can affect fetal bone growth and cause permanent tooth discoloration. Amoxicillin is
considered a second-line option and may be used if azithromycin is not tolerated, but it is not the first choice.
Gentamicin is not used to treat chlamydia and poses potential risks during pregnancy.
5. After receiving antibiotic treatment for uncomplicated chlamydia infection, the nurse will educate the patien
to abstain from sexual activity for how long?
A. 24 hours
B. 5 days
