Chapter 04: Reproductive System Concerns Perry: Maternal Child Nursing Care, 6th Edition

Chapter 04:
Reproductive
System
Concerns Perry:
Maternal Child
Nursing Care,
6th Edition
1. When assessing a patient for amenorrhea, the
nurse should be aware that this is unlikely to be
caused by:
a. anatomic abnormalities.
b. type 1 diabetes mellitus.
c. lack of exercise.
d. hysterectomy. - ANSWER-ANS: C
Lack of exercise is not a cause of amenorrhea.
Strenuous exercise may cause amenorrhea.
Anatomic abnormalities, type 1 diabetes mellitus,
and hysterectomy all are possible causes of
amenorrhea.
2. When a nurse is counseling a woman for primary
dysmenorrhea, which nonpharmacologic
intervention might be recommended?
a. Increasing the intake of red meat and simple
carbohydrates
b. Reducing the intake of diuretic foods such as
peaches and asparagus
c. Temporarily substituting physical activity for a
sedentary lifestyle
d. Using a heating pad on the abdomen to relieve
cramping - ANSWER-ANS: D
Heat minimizes cramping by increasing vasodilation
and muscle relaxation and minimizing uterine
ischemia. Dietary changes such as eating less red
meat may be recommended for women
experiencing dysmenorrhea. Increasing the intake
of diuretics, including natural diuretics such as
asparagus, cranberry juice, peaches, parsley, and
watermelon, may help ease the symptoms
associated with dysmenorrhea. Exercise has been
found to help relieve menstrual discomfort through
increased vasodilation and subsequent decreased
ischemia.
3. Which symptom described by a patient is
characteristic of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)?
a. "I feel irritable and moody a week before my
period is supposed to start."
b. "I have lower abdominal pain beginning the third
day of my menstrual period."
c. "I have nausea and headaches after my period
starts, and they last 2 to 3 days."
d. "I have abdominal bloating and breast pain after
a couple days of my period." - ANSWER-ANS: A
PMS is a cluster of physical, psychologic, and
behavioral symptoms that begin in the luteal phase
of the menstrual cycle and resolve within a couple
of days of the onset of menses. Complaints of lower
abdominal pain, nausea and headaches, and
abdominal bloating all are associated with PMS.
However, the timing reflected is inaccurate.
4. A woman complains of severe abdominal and
pelvic pain around the time of menstruation that
has gotten worse over the last 5 years. She also
complains of pain during intercourse and has tried
unsuccessfully to get pregnant for the past 18
months. These symptoms are most likely related to:
a. endometriosis.
b. PMS.
c. primary dysmenorrhea.
d. secondary dysmenorrhea. - ANSWER-ANS: A
Symptoms of endometriosis can change over time
and may not reflect the extent of the disease. Major
symptoms include dysmenorrhea and deep pelvic
dyspareunia (painful intercourse). Impaired fertility
may result from adhesions caused by
endometriosis. Although endometriosis may be
associated with secondary dysmenorrhea, it is not a
cause of primary dysmenorrhea or PMS. In addition,
this woman is complaining of dyspareunia and
infertility, which are associated with endometriosis
not with PMS or primary or secondary
dysmenorrhea