Transcript Medical-Surgical Nursing: An Integrated Approach, 2E Chapter 32 NURSING CARE OF THE CLIENT: SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Those diseases that are transmitted or passed from one person.

Medical-Surgical Nursing: An
Integrated Approach, 2E
Chapter 32
NURSING CARE OF
THE CLIENT:
SEXUALLY
TRANSMITTED
DISEASES
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
(STDs)
Those diseases that are transmitted or
passed from one person to another
primarily through sexual contact.
 Another term that was used for STDs is
venereal disease.
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Anatomy and Physiology
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The major system affected by the sexually
transmitted diseases is the reproductive s
system.
Men are generally more symptomatic than
females and will seek health care more readily
since the signs of disease on the external
genitalia are more visible.
In addition to the reproductive system, an area
of sexual contact, such as oral and rectal areas,
may also exhibit signs and symptoms of the
disease process.
Common Diagnostic Tests for
STDs
Blood Tests
Type Title Here
ELISA; Western blot; Venereal Disease Research Laboratories;
Rapid plasma reagin; Fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption test; Reiter test
Culture
T issue: Male urethra, female endocervix; Discharge; T zanck
Urine
Urine Specimen
Other
Darkfield examination of wart scrapings; Microscopic examination
Chlamydia
Caused by spherical bacterial organism.
 Mode of transmission must be through
intimate body contact.
 Most infections are asymptomatic. Known
as the “silent STD” for this reason.
 If left untreated, can cause tissue
inflammation, ulceration, and scar tissue
formation in both men and women.
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Gonorrhea
A serious bacterial infection, spread
through vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse.
 Symptoms in men are burning on
urination and a purulent discharge from
the penis. Many women are
asymptomatic.
 If a women is infected with gonorrhea, the
infection may be transmitted to the
newborn’s eyes as the baby travels
through the birth canal.
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Syphilis
Almost eradicated after the discovery of
antibiotic therapy in the 1940s, it is now
on the upswing again.
 Causative organism is a spirochete.
 Transmission either through sexual
contact or congenitally (mother to child).
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Stages of Syphilis
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Incubation period, with development of chancre,
a clean, painless ulcer which usually is present
at site of body contact.
Secondary stage: client has skin rash of pennysized brown sores, low-grade fever, headache,
sore throat.
Tertiary stage: bacteria damages heart, eyes,
brain, nervous system, bones, joints, or any
other parts of the body. May result in heart
disease, blindness, neurologic problems, and
death.
Genital Herpes
Caused by herpes simplex virus type 2.
 Usually acquired through sexual contact
with infected person.
 Itching or burning sensations; pain in
genital area, legs, or buttocks; vaginal
discharge; abdominal pressure. Lesions
follow.
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Cytomegalovirus
Another virus in the herpesvirus family,
found in saliva, urine, and often in semen
and vaginal secretions.
 Incurable. People are infected for life.
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Genital Warts
May occur in urogenital, perineal, or anal
areas, and may be internal or external.
 Population at risk seems to be teenage
girls or young women in their 20s.
 Genital warts are usually painless, soft
fleshy growths appearing most commonly
in genital area.
 Causes a predisposition to cervical
cancer.
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AIDS
Incurable, ultimately fatal.
 Persons at risk are those who have
multiple sexual partners, IV drug users
who share needles, and persons with
hemophilia.
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Trichomoniasis
Caused by a parasitic protozoan, this very
common STD is seen frequently in
combination with gonorrhea.
 Vulval and vaginal pruritis is most
common symptom, with a vaginal
discharge of frothy, copious yellow-green
mucus.
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Hepatitis B
Clients with Hepatitis B experience
anorexia, vague abdominal discomfort,
nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and jaundice.
Fever may be mild or absent.
 Symptoms may progress to chronic liver
disease, hepatic cancer, hepatic failure,
and death.
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