CHAPTER 14: FEMALE GENITALIA

C HAPTER 14: F EMALE G ENITALIA


MULTIPLE CHOICE


1. During the interview, a patient reveals that she has some vaginal
discharge. She is worried that it may be a sexuall y transmitted infection.
The nurses most appropriate response to this would be:
a. Oh, dont worry. Some cyclic vaginal discharge is normal.
b. Have you been engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse?
c. Id like some information about the discharge. What color is it?
d. Have you had any urinary incontinence associated with the
discharge?



ANS: C



Questions that help the patient reveal more information about her
s ymptoms should be asked in a nonthreatening m anner. Asking about
the amount, color, and odor of the vaginal discharge provides the
opportunit y for further assessment. Normal vaginal discharge is small,
clear or cloudy, and always non -irritating.



DIF: Cognitive Level: Anal yzing (Anal ysis) REF: p. 7 42
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrit y: Physiologic
Adaptation



2. A woman states that 2 weeks ago she had a urinary tract infection that was
treated with an antibiotic. As a part of the interview, the nurse should ask,
Have you noticed any:

, a. Changes in your urination patterns?
b. Excessive vaginal bleeding?
c. Unusual vaginal discharge or itching?
d. Changes in your desire for intercourse?



ANS: C



Several medications may increase the risk of vaginitis. Broad -spectrum
antibiotics alter the balance of normal fl ora, which may lead to the
development of vaginitis. The other questions are not appropriate.



DIF: Cognitive Level: Appl ying (Application) REF: p. 742 MSC:
Client Needs: Physiologic Integrit y: Pharmacologic and Parenteral
Therapies



3. Which statement would be most appropriate when the nurse is introducing
the topic of sexual relationships during an interview?
a. Now, it is time to talk about your sexual history. When did you first
have intercourse?
b. Women often feel dissatisfied with their sexual relationship s.
Would it be okay to discuss this now?
c. Women often have questions about their sexual relationship and
how it affects their health. Do you have any questions?
d. Most women your age have had more than one sexual partner. How
many would you say you have had ?



ANS: C



The nurse should begin with an open -ended question to assess
individual needs. The nurse should include appropriate questions as a

, routine part of the health history, because doing so communicates that
the nurse accepts the individuals sexual ac tivit y and believes it is
important. The nurses comfort with the discussion prompts the patients
interest and, possibly, relief that the topic has been introduced. The
initial discussion establishes a database for comparison with any future
sexual activiti es and provides an opportunit y to screen sexual
problems.



DIF: Cognitive Level: Appl ying (Application) REF: p. 742 MSC:
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrit y



4. A 22-year-old woman has been considering using oral contraceptives. As a
part of her health history, the nurse should ask:
a. Do you have a history of heart murmurs?
b. Will you be in a monogamous relationship?
c. Have you carefull y thought this choice through?
d. If you smoke, how many cigarettes do you smoke per day?



ANS: D



Oral contraceptives, together with cigarette smoking, increase the risk
for cardiovascular side effects. If cigarettes are used, then the nurse
should assess the patients smoking history. The other questions are not
appropriate.



DIF: Cognitive Level: Appl ying (Application) REF: p. 743 MSC:
Client Needs: Physiologic Integrit y: Pharmacologic and Parenteral
Therapies