Nursing Tips: Reproductive

A patient presenting with a chancre (ulcer) on the genitals should be evaluated for syphilis. The chancre should be cultured, and a blood test should be done to assess for this sexually transmitted infection.

A pap test to screen for cervical cancer should be performed every three years starting three years after a patient's first instance of sexual intercourse, or by age 21. 

Finasteride is an Androgen Inhibitor used to treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and baldness.

 A person who gets medroxyprogesterone (Depo-Provera) shots for contraception needs to increase their intake of Calcium and Vitamin D because a key side effect of this medication is decreased bone density!

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are STDs that can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and infertility if not treated promptly.

Menorrhagia = Excessive menstrual bleeding. This can result in anemia.

If you have menorrhagia, it will make you want to rage!

Hormone Replacement therapy can be used to treat the signs/symptoms of menopause. However, it is important to remember that HT increases the risk of embolic events (DVT, MI, stroke) and breast cancer.

When administering Continuous Bladder Irrigation (CBI) for a patient following a Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP), be sure to increase the CBI rate if outflow is bright red or contains clots. Goal = light pink irrigation outflow.

Key patient teaching with IUDs: Report foul smelling discharge, change in IUD string length, fever/chills, or pain with intercourse!