Chapter 27: Sexually Transmitted Infections Flashcards
What unique factor causes adolescent girls to have a high risk for sexually transmitted
infections (STIs)?
a. They are in an experimental phase with sexual intercourse and believe they are
resistant to developing STIs.
b. The adolescent cervix is immature and lacks immunity.
c. The length of the vaginal canal is short in adolescents, allowing a greater
concentration of microorganisms within the internal genitalia.
d. In adolescent girls, the anus to the vaginal introitus are in close proximity.
ANS: B
Partly, perhaps, because of risk-taking behavior (unprotected intercourse or selection of
high-risk partners), many adolescents have an increased risk for STI exposure and
infection. The unique factor for adolescent women is that they have a physiologically
increased susceptibility to infection because of increased cervical immaturity and lack of
immunity. The remaining options are not considered legitimate risk factors for STIs.
PTS: 1 REF: Pages 918-919
How is gonorrhea transmitted from a pregnant woman to her fetus?
a. Unbound in the blood via the placenta
b. Attached to immunoglobulin G (IgG) via the placenta
c. Across amniotic membranes by the direct inoculation with the fetal scalp
electrodes during labor monitoring
d. Predominately through infected cervical and secretions during the birth process
ANS: D
A pregnant woman can transmit gonorrhea to her fetus during the birth process. The
infection passes from mother to child predominately through infected cervical and vaginal
secretions. The transmission is not associated with the other options.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 920
Which statement is false about the factors that facilitate the ascent of gonococci into the
uterus and fallopian tubes?
a. Ascent of gonococci is facilitated because the cervical plug disintegrates during
menstruation.
b. Ascent of gonococci is facilitated because the vaginal pH decreases to 2 or 3.
c. Ascent of gonococci is facilitated because the uterine contractions may cause
retrograde menstruation into the fallopian tubes.
d. Ascent of gonococci is facilitated because the bacteria may adhere to sperm and be
transported to the fallopian tubes.
ANS: B
Several factors can facilitate the ascent of gonococci into the uterus and the fallopian
tubes, where they cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Among these factors are (1)
disintegration of the cervical mucous plug and (2) a rise in vaginal pH greater than 4.5
during menstruation. The other options are accurate statements.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 921
In women, what is the usual site of original gonococcal infection?
a. Endocervical canal
c. Fallopian tube
b. Vagina
d. Labia major
ANS: A
In women, the endocervical canal (inner portion of the cervix) is the usual site of original
gonococcal infection, although urethral colonization and infection of Skene or Bartholin
glands also are common. The other options are not usually associated with gonococcal
infections.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 921
What is the primary site for uncomplicated local gonococci infections in men?
a. Epididymis
c. Urethra
b. Lymph nodes
d. Prostate
ANS: C
Uncomplicated local infections are observed primarily as urethral infections in men.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 921
What local complication of a gonococcal infection is diagnosed in approximately 10% of affected women? a. Acute salpingitis c. Vaginitis b. Cystitis d. Cervicitis
ANS: A
Acute salpingitis, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), is the most common local
complication in women. Approximately 10% of women with untreated cervical gonorrhea
develop PID.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 921
Which laboratory test is considered adequate for an accurate and reliable diagnosis of
gonococcal urethritis in a symptomatic man?
a. Ligase chain reaction (LCR)
c. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
b. Gram-stain technique
d. DNA testing
ANS: B
Microscopic evaluation of Gram-stained slides of clinical specimens is deemed positive
for Neisseria gonorrhoeae if gram-negative diplococci with the typical “kidney bean”
morphologic appearance are found inside polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Such a finding is
considered adequate for the diagnosis of gonococcal urethritis in a symptomatic man. The
other options are not relevant to the diagnosis of this condition.
How does an established gonococcal infection usually express itself in newborns?
a. Generalized skin rash 4 to 6 days after birth
b. Systemic infection with fever
c. Bilateral corneal ulceration
d. Yellow vaginal or penile discharge approximately 10 days after birth
ANS: C
Established infection causes bilateral corneal ulceration. The other options are not usual
sites for such an infection.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 922
What is the major concern regarding the treatment of gonococci infections?
a. Development of antibiotic resistance
c. Changes in pathogenicity
b. Changes in virulence
d. Mutations into different strains
ANS: A
Several types of drug-resistant strains have been identified; they are
penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG), which is resistant to penicillin;
tetracycline-resistant N. gonorrhoeae (TRNG), which is resistant to tetracycline;
chromosomal control of mechanisms of resistance of N. gonorrhoeae (CMRNG), which is
resistant to penicillin and tetracycline; and increasingly a fluoroquinolone-resistant N.
gonorrhoeae (QRNG). The other options are not major concerns.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 922
Which sexually transmitted infection frequently coexists with gonorrhea?
a. Syphilis
c. Chlamydia
b. Herpes simplex virus
d. Chancroid
ANS: C
The coexistence of chlamydial infection with gonorrhea frequently occurs. No coexistence
exists with the other options.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 922
During which stage of syphilis do bloodborne bacteria spread to all the major organ systems? a. Primary c. Latent b. Secondary d. Tertiary
ANS: B
Bloodborne bacteria spread to all major organ systems during only stage II, secondary
syphilis (see Box 26-2).
PTS: 1 REF: Page 923
In which stage of syphilis would the following clinical manifestations be found:
destructive skin, bone and soft tissue lesions, aneurysms, heart failure, and neurosyphilis?
a. Primary
c. Latent
b. Secondary
d. Tertiary
ANS: D
Stage IV, tertiary syphilis, is the only stage during which significant morbidity and
mortality occur, including destructive skin, bone, and soft-tissue lesions (see Box 26-2).
PTS: 1 REF: Page 924
Which organism is responsible for the development of syphilis?
a. Neisseria syphilis
c. Haemophilus ducreyi
b. Treponema pallidum
d. Chlamydia trachomatis
ANS: B
T. pallidum is the only cause of syphilis.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 923
Which is a characteristic lesion of secondary syphilis?
a. Condylomata lata
c. Chancroid
b. Gummas
d. Donovan bodies
ANS: A
The only secondary syphilis lesion is the condylomata lata.
PTS: 1 REF: Pages 924-925
By which method is the organism that causes syphilis best identified?
a. Acid-fast stain
c. In vitro culture
b. Gram-stained slide
d. Darkfield microscopy
ANS: D
Because Treponema pallidum cannot be cultured in vitro, early definitive diagnosis of
primary or secondary syphilis depends on darkfield microscopy of a specimen taken from
a chancre, regional lymph node, or other lesion. The remaining options are not relevant.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 925