Question

Eighteen-year-old S is seen in the clinic today with concerns that she may be pregnant. She reports having only one sex partner in the last 6 weeks, so she knows who the father is should she be pregnant. She also casually mentions that she has this annoying place at the entrance of her vagin that she has noticed for about 2 months.

1. How should the nurse approach this situation?

As the nurse talks with S a little longer, she admits that she knows she is not pregnant, but she is afraid she might have a sexually transmitted infection like HPV, since she has that “place” on her vagina. The health care provider orders a pregnancy test and performs a gynecological exam, which reveals a 3-cm round ulcerated lesion. There is also bilateral inguinal lymphadenopathy. A tentative diagnosis of syphilis is made by the HCP.

2. How will the diagnosis be confirmed?

3. After a diagnosis is confirmed, how will S be treated?

4. What are possible consequences of untreated syphilis?

Answer 1