Author Question: A client who is postmenopausal confides in the nurse about pain experienced during intercourse. What ... (Read 55 times)

Diane · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A client who is postmenopausal confides in the nurse about pain experienced during intercourse. What should the nurse instruct the client to do?

A) Use vaginal lubricants during intercourse.
B) Avoid intercourse.
C) Tolerate this problem because it is a normal part of aging.
D) Decrease the frequency of intercourse to decrease the pain.

Question 2

A client approaching menopause is interested in oral hormone replacement therapy to manage the symptoms. Which should the nurse include in this client's teaching plans?

A) Hormone replacement therapy is linked to higher rates of deep vein thrombosis and colorectal cancer.
B) Estrogen is cardio-protective for women.
C) Hormone replacement therapy is useful for women who are at an increased risk for the development of osteoporosis.
D) Hormone replacement therapy is associated with a reduced incidence of breast cancer and pulmonary embolism.

ju · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: A

It is not uncommon for a postmenopausal female to report painful intercourse that is related to a decrease in vaginal lubrication. Vaginal lubricants can be very effective in reducing the pain experienced during intercourse. Although this is a normal change of aging, clients do not have to tolerate the discomfort. Avoidance and decreasing frequency of intercourse would not resolve the problem for the client. It is stereotypical to assume the client would have less of a desire for intercourse at an older age.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: C

Osteoporosis is associated with the reduction of estrogen. Hormone replacement therapy is encouraged for those women who are at an increased risk for the development of this disease. Estrogen was once thought to be cardio-protective for women, but newer studies refute these claims. There is an increased risk for breast cancer and pulmonary embolism for those women who are taking hormone replacement therapy. Although the rates of deep vein thrombosis are increased, the rates of colorectal cancer are reduced in those taking hormone replacement therapy.