A young woman is panic-stricken. She had not realized how much ...

[schs14]

A young woman is panic-stricken. She had not realized how much she was drinking, and she thinks she had unprotected sex with several men last night. She is petrified and wants an HIV test immediately.
 
  Which of the following actions should be taken by the nurse?
  a.
  Give her a strong lengthy lecture about the dangers of alcohol
  b.
  Administer the HIV test
  c.
  Provide a physical examination, testing for all sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
  d.
  Suggest she be treated immediately to be safe

Question 2

Which of the following groups is especially at risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
 
  a. Recently divorced adults
  b. Single young women between 19 and 24 years of age
  c. Teenaged girls
  d. Young males between the ages of 15 and 19 years

[Kjones0604]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
The young woman should be aware that treating HIV exposure with HIV medications has been shown to decrease the incidence of seroconversion and HIV infection. Thus, she should be treated immediately to be safe. HIV infection is usually determined by the HIV antibody test, most commonly the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. False-negative findings may occur, especially before the body produces antibodies after exposure. So a negative reading on an HIV test now would not negate starting the HIV medications. Giving her a strong lecture about the dangers of alcohol will not change that she was possibly exposed to HIV. Although it would be appropriate to provide an examination and test for all STDs, it is still most important that she receive HIV medications.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Teenaged girls in particular may be more susceptible to STDs because they have fewer protective antibodies to STDs and a cervix that is biologically immature. Of the estimated 20 million cases of STDs occurring each year in the United States, almost half of them are in persons aged 15 to 24 years. Women are at higher risk for contracting STDs than men because they have anatomical differences that enhance transmission of disease and make diagnosis difficult. The population of recently divorced adults does not address the increased incidence seen among females and the young adult/adolescent population.

[schs14]

Gracias!

[Animal_Goddess]

TYSM