A client with PID asks the nurse about the long-term consequences of the condition.
Which of the following complications should the nurse include in the response?

Choice A rationale:

Assessing vital signs, including temperature.

Assessing vital signs, including temperature, is an essential component of the nursing assessment, but collecting vaginal and cervical swabs for STI testing primarily supports obtaining a detailed medical history.

The swabs are collected to identify the presence of sexually transmitted infections, which would be a crucial aspect of the patient's medical history.

Choice B rationale:

Obtaining a detailed medical history.

Collecting vaginal and cervical swabs for STI testing is a part of obtaining a detailed medical history.

It helps in understanding the patient's sexual history, potential risk factors for STIs, and symptoms that might suggest the presence of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).

This information is vital for diagnosis and treatment planning.

Choice C rationale:

Evaluating the patient's response to antibiotic therapy.

Evaluating the patient's response to antibiotic therapy is important in the management of PID but is not the primary purpose of collecting vaginal and cervical swabs.

The swabs are primarily used for diagnostic purposes to confirm the presence of STIs that may have contributed to PID.

Choice D rationale:

Performing a physical examination of the abdomen and pelvis.

Performing a physical examination of the abdomen and pelvis is a crucial part of the nursing assessment for a patient with suspected PID.

However, collecting vaginal and cervical swabs primarily supports obtaining a detailed medical history, which is essential for diagnosing and managing PID.

PID is an infection of the female reproductive organs that can cause pelvic pain, vaginal discharge, fever, and other symptoms. It is usually caused by sexually transmitted bacteria, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, but other bacteria can also be involved.

The correct answers to your question are a, c, and d. These are the interventions that the nurse should include in the teaching:

Complete the full course of antibiotic therapy. This is important to cure the infection and prevent complications, such as chronic pelvic pain, infertility, or ectopic pregnancy. Antibiotics can be taken by mouth or given by injection, depending on the severity of the infection and the patient’s preference.

Sexual partners should be treated to prevent reinfection. Even if the partners do not have any symptoms, they may still carry the bacteria that can cause PID. Treating them can reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others or getting it again.

Avoid all sexual activity during PID treatment. This can help the healing process and prevent further irritation or inflammation of the pelvic organs. It is also recommended to avoid using tampons, douches, or other products that can introduce bacteria into the vagina.

The incorrect answers are b and e. These are the interventions that the nurse should not include in the teaching:

Hospitalization is always necessary for PID. This is not true, as most cases of PID can be treated as outpatients with oral antibiotics. However, some patients may need to be hospitalized if they have severe symptoms, such as high fever, vomiting, or signs of an abscess (a collection of pus) in the pelvis.

Pelvic rest is not required during PID treatment. This is also not true, as pelvic rest means avoiding any activity that can increase blood flow or pressure to the pelvic area, such as exercise, lifting, or straining. Pelvic rest can help reduce pain and inflammation and promote healing.