A 53-year-old woman is having her annual physical and tells the ...

[kellyjaisingh]

A 53-year-old woman is having her annual physical and tells the nurse she has not had a period for 7 months. She wants to know if she has undergone menopause. What response by the nurse is best?
 
  A.
  No, at your age, fluctuations in your menstrual cycle are normal findings.
  B.
  No, menopause only begins in women after the age of 55.
  C.
  Yes, not having a period for more than 6 months is diagnostic of menopause.
  D.
  You have to go 1 year without a menstrual period to be sure that menopause has occurred.

Question 2

A nurse notes that a woman's chart lists dyspareunia as a diagnosis. In planning education for the patient, which topics would the nurse include?
 
  A.
  Black cohosh and soy nuts
  B.
  Kegel exercises and use of a pessary
  C.
  Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
  D.
  Water-based vaginal lubricants

[dawsa925]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Menopause can only be diagnosed with certainty after 1 year without menstrual periods. Although fluctuations in a woman's cycle are normal during the perimenopausal years, this answer is not correct, as it appears to signify that there is no relationship between the lack of periods and menopause, and so is misleading. The average age of menopause in the United States is 51.4 years, with a range of 35-60 years.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Dyspareunia is painful intercourse, often seen in postmenopausal women. Prolonged foreplay and the use of water-based vaginal lubricants are helpful suggestions to ease this symptom. Black cohosh and soy nuts are often used to relieve menopausal symptoms. Kegel exercises and pessaries are used for urinary incontinence. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications are used for mild pain and swelling.

[kellyjaisingh]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[bassamabas]

Gracias!