Purpose
To treat clients with STIs with a nonjudgmental attitude within the scope of practice of the LPN while
functioning on a team of professionals.
Competency
Identify nursing interventions for clients with disorders of the reproductive system.
Instructions
Read the case studies below and answer the questions. Make sure you cite any sources using APA
format.
Scenario # 1
You are working in a community health clinic on a team that has an LPN, RN, and nurse practitioner.
Your first client of the day is a tearful young woman who states that she has had a painful rash to her
genital area for the past couple of days. She came to the clinic today because the rash is getting
progressively worse. Her vital signs are: 100.5 (PO), 114, 28, 145/88 Pain: 9 on a 1-10 scale. The
client shares with you that her boyfriend has herpes. They never have sex when he is having a
flare-up, so she is not sure how she could have gotten it from him.
Question # 1: What should be the first priority for this client? Explain your answer. (5-10 sentences)
Question # 2: The RN provides teaching to the client, but the client has some follow-up questions.
As the LPN you reinforce the teaching about how herpes is spread. What factual information should
the nurse provide about the spread of this disease between flare-ups? (2-3 sentences)
Scenario # 2
You are working in a primary care office with a physician’s assistant (PA) and RN. A client comes in
for a follow-up visit. He states that he was called to come in because of an “abnormal lab report.”
You print the labs for the PA, and you see that the client had a sore on his penis that was scraped
and sent to the lab. The scrapings are positive for syphilis. You also see in the notes that the client
had to be called repeatedly to come to the office. At first, he was unwilling to return because he
stated he “feels fine.”
Question # 3: The client is confused about why he needs to name his sexual partners. What factual
information can the nurse give to explain the need for all of his sexual partners to be treated as soon
as possible? (5-10 sentences)
Question # 4: The PA orders a single dose of Benzathine Penicillin G 2.4 million units IM. The client
questions why he just cannot take some pills. What explanation will you provide to the client? (5-10
sentences)
Scenario # 3
You are working in a primary care office with a physician. You are instructed to collect data on a
client, including vital signs and chief complaint. The client states that she is a sex worker and has
had chills, fevers, and sore throats on and off for several weeks. The physician orders a rapid HIV
test.
Question # 5: What in your data collection indicates that the client is at high risk for HIV? (2-3
sentences)
Format
Standard American English (correct grammar, punctuation, etc.)
Logical, original, and insightful
Professional organization, style, and mechanics in APA format
Submit document through Grammarly to correct errors before submission.
Resources
APA Online Guide
https://guides.rasmussen.edu/apa
https://guides.rasmussen.edu/nursing/prn1409
Question #1: The first priority for this client should be to alleviate her pain and discomfort caused by the rash. This can be achieved through immediate assessment and treatment of the rash, possibly with topical medications or pain relievers. Additionally, it is crucial to assess for any signs of infection and to prevent potential complications. Given the client’s symptoms and history of exposure to herpes, it’s also important to consider testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) beyond herpes to ensure comprehensive care and appropriate management. Addressing the client’s emotional distress and providing support should also be a priority to establish trust and facilitate effective communication and treatment adherence.
Question #2: The nurse should provide factual information about the transmission of herpes between flare-ups, emphasizing that the virus can still be contagious even when there are no visible symptoms or flare-ups. Herpes can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, including sexual activity, even when the infected individual is asymptomatic. Therefore, it’s essential for the client to understand that the risk of transmission exists at all times, not just during visible outbreaks, and that preventive measures such as condom use can help reduce the risk of transmission.
Question #3: The nurse can explain to the client that naming his sexual partners is crucial for their health and well-being, as well as for controlling the spread of syphilis. By identifying and treating all sexual partners, it helps to interrupt the chain of transmission and prevent further spread of the infection within the community. Furthermore, untreated syphilis can lead to serious complications, including neurological and cardiovascular issues, highlighting the importance of prompt treatment for both the client and his partners.
Question #4: The nurse can explain to the client that Benzathine Penicillin G is the preferred treatment for syphilis because it provides a sustained level of the antibiotic in the body, ensuring effective treatment of the infection. Unlike oral antibiotics, which may require multiple doses over several days, a single dose of Benzathine Penicillin G is sufficient to treat early-stage syphilis. Additionally, this treatment regimen helps improve treatment adherence and reduces the risk of antibiotic resistance. It’s important for the client to understand the rationale behind the treatment plan and the importance of completing the prescribed therapy to ensure successful management of the infection.
Question #5: The client’s occupation as a sex worker, combined with symptoms such as chills, fevers, sore throats, and potential exposure to STIs through sexual activity, indicates a high risk for HIV infection. Additionally, the presence of recurrent symptoms suggestive of acute HIV infection underscores the need for prompt testing and appropriate management. Collecting a thorough sexual history, assessing for other risk factors, and offering comprehensive STI screening and prevention education are essential components of care for clients at high risk for HIV.