13 Health Problems Common in Adolescents Flashcards
Absence of menstrual flow, strongly suggests
pregnancy but is no means definitive, because it can
also result from tension, anxiety, fatigue, chronic
illness, extreme dieting, or strenuous activity.
Amenorrhea
Types of Amenorrhea
Primary
Secondary
Absence of menstruation in someone who has not
had a period by age 15.
Primary Amenorrhea
The most common cause of primary amenorrhea
relates to _____
hormone levels
Absence of 3 or more periods in a row by someone
who has had periods in the past
Secondary Amenorrhea
_____ is the most common cause of secondary
amenorrhea
Pregnancy
Causes of Amenorrhea
- Natural Amenorrhea (Pregnancy, breastfeeding,
menopause) - Contraceptives
- Medications (Antipsychotic, cancer chemotherapy,
antidepressants, BP drugs, allergy medications) - Lifestyle factors (low body weight, excessive exercise,
stress) - Hormonal imbalance (PCOS, thyroid malfunction,
pituitary tumor, premature menopause) - Structural problems (uterine scarring, lack of
reproductive organ, structural abnormality of vagina)
Medical Diagnosis for Amenorrhea
Blood Tests
Hormone Challenge Tests
Imaging Tests
Scope Tests
Blood Test for Amenorrhea
● Pregnancy Test
● Thyroid Function Test
● Ovary Function Test
● Prolactin Test
● Male Hormone Test
Imaging Tests for Amenorrhea
● Ultrasound
● MRI
Scope Test for Amenorrhea
● Hysteroscopy
Therapeutic Management of Amenorrhea
● Medication or medical treatment
● Healthy and balanced diet
● Moderate physical activities
Painful menstruation caused by the release of
prostaglandins in response to tissue destruction
during the ischemic phase of the menstrual cycle,
which leads to smooth muscle contraction and
uterine pain.
Dysmenorrhea
Types of Dysmenorrhea
Primary
Secondary
Painful menstrual periods are very common and it
occurs in the absence of organic disease
Primary Dysmenorrhea
Pain begins a day or two before the start of menstrual periods and ends within 12- 36 hours.
Primary Dysmenorrhea
Symptoms for Primary Dysmenorrhea
● Lower back and pelvic pain
● Pain in thighs and hips
● Headache and fatigue
● Nausea and vomiting
● Diarrhea
● Irritation and anxiety
● Eruption of acne
Causes of Primary Dysmenorrhea
● Contraction - Period Starts - Extreme
Contraction - Decreased Oxygen
● Prostaglandin activates contraction of uterus
- Progesterone drops, Prostaglandin
increases - Pressed blood vessels obstructs
oxygen flow - Muscular tissues (severe pain)
Painful menses which are less common and it occurs
as a result of organic disease.
Secondary Dysmenorrhea
Pain starts several days before the beginning of
periods and lasts even after the cycle for the month is complete
Secondary Dysmenorrhea
Symptoms: of Secondary Dysmenorrhea
● Sudden extreme abdominal pain
● Chills and fever
● Abnormal vaginal discharge
● Pain or vaginal bleeding after sexual
intercourse
● Heavy period bleeding with blood clots
● Low backache and pelvic pain
● Irregularity in periods
● Painful urination and bowel movement
Causes of Secondary Dysmenorrhea
● Endometriosis - abnormal growth of
endometrial cells outside the uterus - on the
fallopian tubes, pelvis and ovaries.
● Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) -
Inflammatory conditions of the genital tract
in females: the uterus, fallopian tubes, and
ovaries
● Cervical Stenosis - The opening of the
uterus is very narrow and obstructs the
menstrual flow.
Abnormal growth of endometrial cells outside the uterus - on the fallopian tubes, pelvis and ovaries.
Endomtriosis
Inflammatory conditions of the genital tract
in females: the uterus, fallopian tubes, and
ovaries
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
The opening of the uterus is very narrow and obstructs the menstrual flow.
Cervical Stenosis
Therapeutic Management for Dysmenorrhea
Pain Medication, Healthy Food, Warm Shower, Exercise, Relaxation, Heating Pad
Inflammation of the vulva or vagina, accompanied by
pain, odor, pruritus, vaginal discharge and bleeding
Vulvovaginitis
Causes of Vulvovaginitis
● Use of products that are too strong
● Activities (playing in sandboxes or on slides)
● Clothing (wearing wet clothes, bathing suits or tight
ballet leotards)
● Sexual abuse
● Skin problems (eczema)
● Weather
Over development or enlargement of male breast
tissue
Gynecomastia
Causes of Gynecomastia
● Hormonal imbalance (testosterone and estrogen)
● Medications (anxiolytics, antidepressants, male
fertility)
● Diseases/conditions (Testicular cancer, alcoholism,
livers disease)
Diagnosis for Gynecomastia
● Ultrasound
● Mammogram
Therapeutic Management of Gynecomastia
● Breast Reduction Surgery
Diseases that are spread through sexual contact with
an infected partner.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Causative Agent of Candidiasis Vaginal infection spread by fungus
Candida
Albicans
Common Therapy for Candidiasis Vaginal infection spread by fungus
Clotrimazole or Miconazole (vaginal suppositories);
Fluconazole (PO); bathing with dilute sodium bicarbonate solution may relieve pruritus
Vulvar reddening and pruritus, thick white
cheese like vaginal discharge
Candidiasis Vaginal infection spread by fungus
Thin, irritating, frothy, gray-green discharge;
strong putrid odor; itching
Trichomoniasis
Common Therapy for Trichomoniasis
Metronidazole or tinidazole (PO); douching with weak
vinegar solution to reduce pruritus
Causative Agent for Herpes Genitalis
HSV-2
Painful pinpoint vesicles on an erythematous base with a watery vaginal discharge possible; pain in urination
Herpes Genitalis
Watery, gray-white vaginal discharge, vulvar itching
Chlamydia trachomatis infection
Common Therapy for Chlamydia trachomatis infection
Tetracycline or doxycycline; erythromycin during
pregnancy
Causative agent for Gonorrhea
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Common Therapy for Gonorrhea
Ceftriaxone and doxycycline
Possibly symptomless; may have profuse yellow-green vaginal discharge
Gonorrhea
Treponema pallidum
Causative agent for Syphillis
Symptom of Syphillis
Painless deep ulcer on vulva or vagina
Common Therapy for Syphillis
Benzathine penicillin (Intramuscularly)
The disorder is caused by a retrovirus that infects
T-lymphocytes.
HIV Infection
It may contracted through sexual intercourse,
exposure to infected blood or by vertical transmission to the fetus or newborn or by breastmilk to the newborn.
HIV Infection
Diagnosis for HIV Infection
CD4 Cell Count
ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
Western Blot test
Determines how many T Lymphocytes (T4 cells) are present and functioning.
CD4 Cell Count
Normal CD4 Cell Count
500 to 1,400 cells/mm3
Susceptible CD4 Cell Count
Below 500 cells/mm3
This test is usually the first one used to detect infection with HIV.
ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
An antibody test that’s done on a blood sample. It’s used to confirm or disprove the results of an earlier test for HIV
Western Blot test -
Therapeutic Management for HIV
Antiretroviral therapy (ART)
Medicines used to slow the rate at which HIV makes in the body
Antiretroviral therapy (ART)
A combination of 3 or more antiretroviral medicines - sometimes referred to as anti-HIV “_____”
“cocktail”
Give 3 Antiretroviral medicines
○ Dolutegravir + abacavir + lamivudine
○ Dolutegravir + tenofovir + emtricitabine
○ Elvitegravir + cobicistat + tenofovir +
emtricitabine
○ Raltegravir + tenofovir + emtricitabine
○ Ritonavir-boosted darunavir + tenofovir +
emtricitabine
Any unwanted sexual act or behavior forced on a
person without their consent
Sexual Assault
SAAM
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
When is SAAM?
May
Examples of Sexual Assault
- Grabbing without permission
- Make someone give (or receive) oral sex
- Touching a person while incapacitated
- Threatening or coercing someone to have sex
- Touching with 04 an object without consent
Signs of Sexual Abuse
● Verbal reports of sexual activity with an adult
● An awareness of sex and sexual vocabulary beyond
age expectations
● Participation in sexual expression with dolls
● Pregnancy in a girl younger than 15 years
● Perineal, vaginal, or anal inflammation
● Vaginal tears (laceration) or anal fissures
● Presence of a STI
● Symptoms of increased anxiety, such as sleep
disturbance, development of tics, nail biting, or
stuttering
● Change in school performance, school phobia, or
truancy
● Vague abdominal pain or acting out behavior
Causes of Obesity
● Heredity
● Usage of Drugs
● High Calorie Foods
● Sedentary Lifestyle
● Midlife weight gain
● Hypothyroidism
BMI Classification of <18.5
Underweight
BMI Classification of 30 - 34.9
Obesity Class 1
Types of Scoliosis
Thoracic
Lumbar
Thoraco-Lumbar
Combined
Risk Factors for Scoliosis
Age
Sex
Family History
Assessment Findings for Scoliosis
Adam’s Test
Interventions for Scoliosis
- Monitor progression of the curvatures.
- Prepare the child and parents for the use of a brace if prescribed.
- Prepare the child and parents for surgery (spinal
fusion, placement of internal instrumentation
systems) if prescribed.
May be done by thoracoscopic surgery,
placement of an instrumentation system, or use of
metallic staples placed into vertebral bodies.
Spinal Fusion
Abnormally low body weight, an intense fear of
gaining weight and a distorted perception of weight.
Anorexia Nervosa
Assessment Findings of Anorexia Nervosa
● Appetite loss and refusal to eat
● Appetite denial
● Feelings of lack of control
● Compulsive exercising
● Overachiever and perfectionist
● Decreased temperature, pulse & BP
● Weight loss
● GI disturbances: Constipation
● Teeth & gum deterioration
● Dry & scaly skin
● Hormone deficiencies
● Amenorrhea 3 consecutive menstrual periods
● Cyanosis & numbness of extremities
● Bone degeneration
Indulges in eating binges followed by purging
behaviors.
Bulimia Nervosa
Assessment Findings for Bulimia Nervosa
● Preoccupied with body shape and weight
● Consumption of high calorie food in secret; guilt
about secretive eating
● Binge purge syndrome
● Attempts to lose weight through diets, vomiting,
enemas, cathartics, and amphetamines or diuretics.
● Has a need to control, yet experiences feelings of
powerless or loss of control
● Low self esteem
● Poor interpersonal relationships
● Mood swings
● Electrolyte imbalance
● Physical alterations: Similar to those that occur with anorexia nervosa
Interventions for Clients with Eating Disorders
- Assess nutritional status and the severity of any
medical problems. - Establish a therapeutic relationship with the client
- Encourage the client to express feelings about the
eating behavior and how the client feels about his or
her body. - Be accepting and nonjudgmental.
- Weight daily at the same time, using the same scale,
after the client voids; ensure the client is wearing the
same clothing as when the previous weight was
taken. - Assess and limit the client’s activity level.
- Encourage the client to participate in diversional
activities - Assess suicide potential.
- Encourage psychotherapy.
- Refer to support group
The ultimate act of self destruction in which an
individual purposely ends his or her own life.
Suicide
Interventions for Suicide
- Assess for suicidal intent or ideation and initiate
suicide precautions. - Remove harmful objects.
- Do not leave the client alone.
- Provide a non judgmental, caring attitude.
- Encourage the client to talk about feelings and to
identify positive aspects about self. - Keep the client active by assigning achievable tasks.
- Check that visitors do not leave harmful objects in the
client’s room. - Do not allow the client to leave the unit unless
accompanied by a staff member. - Continue to asses the client’s suicide potential
