A nurse is providing education to a group of postmenopausal women about preventing vulvovaginitis. Which of the following strategies should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A rationale:

Lubricants and moisturizers are commonly used for symptom relief in atrophic vaginitis (AV), but this choice does not reflect an understanding of hormonal therapy, which is the treatment plan specified.

Choice B rationale:

Avoiding irritants or allergens is important for overall vaginal health, but it does not specifically indicate comprehension of hormonal therapy for AV.

Choice C rationale:

This choice demonstrates understanding of potential side effects and complications associated with hormonal therapy, such as abnormal bleeding and breast changes. Monitoring for such changes is vital.

Choice D rationale:

The mention of completing a course of oral antibiotics is unrelated to the treatment plan for atrophic vaginitis, which involves hormonal therapy.

Choice A rationale:

Lactobacilli overgrowth can lead to a fishy odor, particularly in bacterial vaginosis (BV) The overgrowth disrupts the normal vaginal pH.

Choice B rationale:

A viral infection wouldn't cause a fishy odor. Viruses like human papillomavirus (HPV) might cause genital warts but not this specific odor.

Choice C rationale:

Protozoa, such as Trichomonas vaginalis, cause a distinct odor, but it's not typically described as fishy.

Choice D rationale:

Allergic reactions to douches might cause irritation, itching, or redness, but they wouldn't lead to a fishy odor.