A client has been diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis. The nurse ...

[Brittanyd9008]

A client has been diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis. The nurse obtains a sexual history from the client, including contraceptive measures, number of sexual partners, and frequency of intercourse. What is the rationale for the questions?
 
  1. Clients can infect their sexual partners.
  2. The nurse is required by law to ask the questions.
  3. Clients with bacterial vaginosis can become infected with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases more easily.
  4. The laboratory needs a full client history in order to know for which organisms and antibiotic sensitivities it should test.

Question 2

A pregnant patient at 24 weeks' gestation is diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis. Her doctor orders Flagyl to treat the problem. What would be appropriate education for the nurse to provide?
 
  1. The patient must be careful to observe for signs of preterm labor.
  2. The patient should advise her partner to seek therapy as soon as possible.
  3. The main side effect of the medication is a large amount of vaginal discharge.
  4. A repeat culture should be taken 2 weeks after completing the therapy.

[14vl19]

Answer to Question 1

3
Explanation: 3. The change in normal flora increases the woman's susceptibility to other organisms, making the client more vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.

Answer to Question 2

1
Rationale 1: Patients with bacterial vaginosis are high-risk for preterm labor.
Rationale 2: Male partners rarely need treatment for bacterial vaginosis.
Rationale 3: The disorder produces a discharge, but the treatment does not.
Rationale 4: It is not required that a repeat test be done 2 weeks later.