NSG 4067: SEXUAL FUNCTION
1. A 65-year-old woman is speaking to her nurse at the primary care clinic. She states that it is
very painful for her when she has sexual relations. She asks the nurse what she could do to
alleviate the pain. Which of the following suggestions could the nurse make to the woman?
A) Decrease the incidence of sexual relations.
B) Use a water-soluble lubricant or estrogen cream.
C) While engaging in intercourse, have your partner thrust his penis upward.
D) Use a polyisoprene (non-latex) condom for intercourse.
Ans: B
Feedback:
With age, there is a thinning of the vaginal mucosa, which creates dryness and predisposes
women to irritation and inflammation so using a water-soluble lubricant or estrogen cream may
be helpful. The male partner should thrust downward instead of upward during sexual
intercourse. Decreasing the incidence of sexual relations may lead to a "use it or lose it"
principle. Use of a condom, latex or polyisoprene, will not decrease vaginal wall irritation.
2. A nurse is discussing sexual activity with older adults in a wellness clinic. Which of the
following statements by an individual indicates a need for further exploration?
A) "I know my diabetes can affect my sexual activity."
B) "My husband has an enlarged prostate."
C) "I use Premarin cream to help with vaginal dryness."
D) "I will not use petroleum jelly as a lubricant."
Ans: B
Feedback:
The husband's prostate problem can affect his sexual performance and needs further exploration.
Premarin cream helps when vaginal dryness occurs because of estrogen withdrawal. Diabetes has
an effect on vaginal lubrication. Petroleum jelly increases risk for infection.
3. A 64-year-old man had a myocardial infarction (MI) 2 months ago. He has recovered to the
point that he is able to climb up two flights of stairs, but he and his spouse have not resumed
sexual relations. Which of the following responses by the nurse is most appropriate?
A) "Is angina interfering with your sexual functioning?"
B) "This lack of libido is caused by vasoconstriction in the genital area."
C) "You are safe to have sex; you can resume sexual relations when you desire."
D) "You may have a problem with retrograde ejaculation."
, Ans: C
Feedback:
Even when no physiologic basis exists for abstaining from sexual intercourse after an MI, sexual
activity is often limited or absent because of fatigue, depression, diminished sexual desire, and
fears and anxiety of the person or the sexual partner. Diabetes can cause retrograde ejaculation.
An MI does not cause vasoconstriction.
4. Which of the following processes should a nurse address first when assessing sexual function
in older adults?
A) Identify risk factors that may interfere with the older adult's sexual functioning.
B) Assess own personal attitudes toward sexuality and aging.
C) Obtain permission from the individual to initiate a discussion on sexual relations.
D) Provide detailed information about sexual function to the older adult.
Ans: B
Feedback:
A personal attitude assessment about sexuality and aging is a nurse's prerequisite to discussing
sexual function with older adults. The next step would be to obtain permission from the
individual to initiate discussion about sexual relations.
5. A nurse is conducting a health education class for older adults with arthritis that will address
relevant issues of sexual function. Which of the following statements indicates that the nurse's
teaching has been successful?
A) "I will decrease the amount of time spent in foreplay before engaging in sexual
intercourse."
B) "I will avoid taking a warm bath before engaging in sexual activity."
C) "I will avoid experimenting with different positions during sexual relations."
D) "I will use a vibrator since my ability to massage is limited."
Ans: D
Feedback:
People with arthritis will want to increase foreplay. Warm baths will decrease stiffness. People
with arthritis should experiment with sexual positions for comfort and support. A vibrator may
help if the ability to massage is limited for the person with arthritis.
1. A 65-year-old woman is speaking to her nurse at the primary care clinic. She states that it is
very painful for her when she has sexual relations. She asks the nurse what she could do to
alleviate the pain. Which of the following suggestions could the nurse make to the woman?
A) Decrease the incidence of sexual relations.
B) Use a water-soluble lubricant or estrogen cream.
C) While engaging in intercourse, have your partner thrust his penis upward.
D) Use a polyisoprene (non-latex) condom for intercourse.
Ans: B
Feedback:
With age, there is a thinning of the vaginal mucosa, which creates dryness and predisposes
women to irritation and inflammation so using a water-soluble lubricant or estrogen cream may
be helpful. The male partner should thrust downward instead of upward during sexual
intercourse. Decreasing the incidence of sexual relations may lead to a "use it or lose it"
principle. Use of a condom, latex or polyisoprene, will not decrease vaginal wall irritation.
2. A nurse is discussing sexual activity with older adults in a wellness clinic. Which of the
following statements by an individual indicates a need for further exploration?
A) "I know my diabetes can affect my sexual activity."
B) "My husband has an enlarged prostate."
C) "I use Premarin cream to help with vaginal dryness."
D) "I will not use petroleum jelly as a lubricant."
Ans: B
Feedback:
The husband's prostate problem can affect his sexual performance and needs further exploration.
Premarin cream helps when vaginal dryness occurs because of estrogen withdrawal. Diabetes has
an effect on vaginal lubrication. Petroleum jelly increases risk for infection.
3. A 64-year-old man had a myocardial infarction (MI) 2 months ago. He has recovered to the
point that he is able to climb up two flights of stairs, but he and his spouse have not resumed
sexual relations. Which of the following responses by the nurse is most appropriate?
A) "Is angina interfering with your sexual functioning?"
B) "This lack of libido is caused by vasoconstriction in the genital area."
C) "You are safe to have sex; you can resume sexual relations when you desire."
D) "You may have a problem with retrograde ejaculation."
, Ans: C
Feedback:
Even when no physiologic basis exists for abstaining from sexual intercourse after an MI, sexual
activity is often limited or absent because of fatigue, depression, diminished sexual desire, and
fears and anxiety of the person or the sexual partner. Diabetes can cause retrograde ejaculation.
An MI does not cause vasoconstriction.
4. Which of the following processes should a nurse address first when assessing sexual function
in older adults?
A) Identify risk factors that may interfere with the older adult's sexual functioning.
B) Assess own personal attitudes toward sexuality and aging.
C) Obtain permission from the individual to initiate a discussion on sexual relations.
D) Provide detailed information about sexual function to the older adult.
Ans: B
Feedback:
A personal attitude assessment about sexuality and aging is a nurse's prerequisite to discussing
sexual function with older adults. The next step would be to obtain permission from the
individual to initiate discussion about sexual relations.
5. A nurse is conducting a health education class for older adults with arthritis that will address
relevant issues of sexual function. Which of the following statements indicates that the nurse's
teaching has been successful?
A) "I will decrease the amount of time spent in foreplay before engaging in sexual
intercourse."
B) "I will avoid taking a warm bath before engaging in sexual activity."
C) "I will avoid experimenting with different positions during sexual relations."
D) "I will use a vibrator since my ability to massage is limited."
Ans: D
Feedback:
People with arthritis will want to increase foreplay. Warm baths will decrease stiffness. People
with arthritis should experiment with sexual positions for comfort and support. A vibrator may
help if the ability to massage is limited for the person with arthritis.
