A nurse is caring for a young woman with a suspected urinary tract infection (UTI). Which finding should confirm the nurse’s suspicion?

Choice A reason: Thyroid cancer is more common in females, with a 3:1 female-to-male ratio, due to hormonal factors like estrogen influencing thyroid cell growth. Males are not at greater risk, as incidence rates are consistently higher in women across age groups, making this choice incorrect.

Choice B reason: Breast cancer predominantly affects females, with males accounting for less than 1% of cases. Male breast cancer is rare, linked to genetic mutations or hormonal imbalances, but females face a significantly higher risk, making this choice incorrect for males.

Choice C reason: Lung cancer risk is higher in males, largely due to historically higher smoking rates and occupational exposures like asbestos. American Cancer Society data show males have a higher incidence, with smoking-related carcinogens causing DNA damage in lung cells, making this choice correct.

Choice D reason: Melanoma incidence is slightly higher in females under 50 due to sun exposure patterns, but males have a higher risk after 50. However, overall gender differences are less pronounced than in lung or colorectal cancer, making this choice less definitive.

Choice E reason: Colorectal cancer has a higher incidence in males, with American Cancer Society data indicating a 1.5 times greater risk due to factors like higher rates of smoking, alcohol use, and dietary patterns. These contribute to genetic mutations in colorectal tissue, making this choice correct.

Choice A reason: Vaccine history is relevant for infectious disease prevention but not for diagnosing mental health disorders. Mental disorders stem from psychological, genetic, and environmental factors, not immunization status, making this information irrelevant to assessing conditions like depression or anxiety.

Choice B reason: Surgical history may inform physical health but is not directly used to diagnose mental health disorders. While surgery-related stress could contribute to mental health issues, it is not a primary diagnostic factor, unlike psychosocial history, which directly addresses mental health determinants.

Choice C reason: Allergy history is important for medication management but not for diagnosing mental health disorders. Allergies do not influence psychological or behavioral symptoms central to conditions like schizophrenia or depression, making this information secondary to psychosocial factors in diagnosis.

Choice D reason: Psychosocial history, including life events, stress, relationships, and trauma, is critical for diagnosing mental health disorders. It reveals environmental and psychological triggers, like adverse childhood experiences or chronic stress, that influence neurotransmitter imbalances and behavioral symptoms, guiding accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.