A male client is diagnosed with gonorrhea. When teaching the client about this disease, the nurse should include which instruction?
a. “Avoid sexual intercourse until you’ve completed treatment, which takes 14 to 21 days.”
b. “Wash your hands thoroughly to avoid transferring the infection to your eyes.”
c. “If you have intercourse before treatment ends, tell sexual partners of your status and have them wash well after intercourse.”
d. “If you don’t get treatment, you may develop meningitis and suffer widespread central nervous system (CNS) damage.”
Answer B. Adults and children with gonorrhea may develop gonococcal conjunctivitis by touching the eyes with contaminated hands.
The client should avoid sexual intercourse until treatment is completed, which usually takes 4 to 7 days, and a follow-up culture confirms that the infection has been eradicated.
A client who doesn’t refrain from intercourse before treatment is completed should use a condom in addition to informing sex partners of the client’s health status and instructing them to wash well after intercourse.
Meningitis and widespread CNS damage are potential complications of untreated syphilis, not gonorrhea.
a. “Avoid sexual intercourse until you’ve completed treatment, which takes 14 to 21 days.”
b. “Wash your hands thoroughly to avoid transferring the infection to your eyes.”
c. “If you have intercourse before treatment ends, tell sexual partners of your status and have them wash well after intercourse.”
d. “If you don’t get treatment, you may develop meningitis and suffer widespread central nervous system (CNS) damage.”
Answer B. Adults and children with gonorrhea may develop gonococcal conjunctivitis by touching the eyes with contaminated hands.
The client should avoid sexual intercourse until treatment is completed, which usually takes 4 to 7 days, and a follow-up culture confirms that the infection has been eradicated.
A client who doesn’t refrain from intercourse before treatment is completed should use a condom in addition to informing sex partners of the client’s health status and instructing them to wash well after intercourse.
Meningitis and widespread CNS damage are potential complications of untreated syphilis, not gonorrhea.