Reproductive System Flashcards
Phases of the menstrual cycle
Follicular phase, ovulation, luteal phase
Follicular phase of menstrual cycle
- runs from the first day of menstruation up until ovulation
- pituitary gland produces FSH which stimulates follicular maturation in the ovaries
- increase in estrogen and thickening of the endometrium to prepare for the potential implantation of a fertilized egg
Ovulation
Estrogen peaks which leads to a surge in LH which causes the release of an oocyte
Luteal phase
Empty follicle that released the oocyte turns into corpus luteum and produces progesterone which thickens the lining of the uterus and if pregnancy does not occur progesterone levels drop and corpus luteum is reabsorbed
How often should individuals get a pap test for screening of cervical cancer?
Every 2 to 3 years if each PAP has been normal, or every year if PAP has been previously abnormal
When should Pap tests begin?
Three years after sexual intercourse or by age 21
When should mammograms start and how often should they be completed?
Age 40, annually
Mammogram patient education
Avoid using deodorants, lotions, or powder in the axillary region
Breast self-examination patient education
Perform monthly, 3 to 5 days after. When breasts are less swollen and tender
When and how often should males get prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels drawn to screen for prostate cancer?
Annually starting at age 50
Normal PSA level
Less than 4
What does a PSA level greater than 4 indicate?
The presence of prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
When screening for prostate cancer why should a PSA level be drawn prior to performing a digital rectal exam?
Digital rectal exams can alter the levels of PSA (falsely elevated)
Testicular self-examination patient education
Perform monthly starting at age 15 in the shower or after the shower when scrotum is relaxed and testes are easier to palpate
Changes in the breasts, which include the development of fibrotic connective tissue and cysts
Fibrocystic breast condition
Fibrocystic breast condition is associated with hormonal imbalances, specifically elevated levels of
Estrogen
S/S of fibrous cystic breast condition
Breast pain, movable, tender rubber-like cysts that commonly occur in the upper outer quadrant of the breast
Fibrocystic breast condition patient education
Treatment is supportive, symptoms of this condition will be reduced or go away completely after menopause when estrogen levels come down
Prolonged and/or excessive bleeding that can lead to anemia
Menorrhagia
Painful menstruation
dysmenorrhea
Lack of menstruation
Amenorrhea
Things that can cause amenorrhea
Pregnancy, contraceptives, endocrine disorders, such as Cushing’s disease, low body weight Polycystic ovarian syndrome
The growth of endometrial tissue, which normally lines the inside of the uterus, growing outside of the uterus, causing pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and infertility
Endometriosis
Symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)
Irritability, depression, breast tenderness, bloating, and headache
Cessation of menstruation
Menopause
When does menopause typically occur?
Around 50 years of age (when an individual has not had a period for 12 or more months)
Symptoms of menopause
Hot flashes, night sweats, decreased vaginal secretions, decreased bone density, mood swings, sleep disturbances
Treatment for symptoms associated with menopause
Hormone therapy (decreases hot flashes, vaginal tissue, atrophy, and bone fractures)
Adverse effect of hormone therapy
Increased risk for embolic events such as MI, stroke, DVT; increased risk for breast cancer
Reproductive disorder in which one or more pelvic organs fall down or slip out of place
Pelvic organ prolapse
Protrusion of the bladder through the anterior vaginal wall, which can lead to UTIs and stress incontinence
Cystocele
Protrusion of the uterus into the vagina caused by weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments
Uterine prolapse
Protrusion of the rectum through the posterior wall of the vagina Which can lead to constipation and hemorrhoids
Rectocele
Risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse
Childbirth, pregnancy, obesity, chronic constipation, decreased estrogen
Pelvic organ prolapse treatment
Kegel exercises, intravaginal estrogen, surgical repair, vaginal pessaries
Male reproductive disorder, characterized by an enlarged prostate and is associated with a change in hormone levels
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Symptoms of BPH
Urinary frequency, urinary incontinence, urinary urgency, urinary retention, post-void dribbling, hematuria, UTIs
Labs associated with BPH
Elevated PSA, WBCs, creatinine, BUN
Key medications for treatment of BPH
Finasteride, tamsulosin, Tadalafil
Surgical intervention for BPH
Transurethral Resection of the prostate (TURP)
TURP
Instrument is inserted into the urethra an excess tissue was cut away from the prostate in order to restore urine flow, then a three-way urinary catheter is placed in order to provide continuous bladder irrigation (CBI)
Irrigation outflow following TURP should be
Light pink color
If TURP irrigation outflow is bright, red, resembles ketchup, or contains clots, then CBI rate should be
Increased
Following TURP, if patient has symptoms of a catheter obstruction, such as bladder spasms or a decrease in outflow, the nurse should
Turn off the CBI and irrigate using a large piston syringe
Normal, expected finding following TURP
Continuous feeling of the need to urinate
TURP surgery recovery patient education
Drink at least 2 L of water per day to flush out bladder, avoid alcohol and caffeine as those are bladder stimulants, if there is blood in the urine stop activity rest and increase fluid intake
Adverse effects of erectile dysfunction medications
Increased risk for priapism (prolonged erection), increased risk for MI. DO NOT take these medications in conjunction with nitrates (life-threatening hypotension)
Collection of fluid that forms around the testicle causing swelling that is typically not painful
Hydrocele
Sperm containing cyst that forms on the epididymis
Spermatocele
Condition where the veins within the scrotum are enlarged, which can cause an increase in scrotal temperature which may lead to infertility
Varicocele
Twisting of the spermatic cord including the vas deferens and the nerves and blood vessels that supply blood to the testicle causing severe pain and swelling
Testicular torsion
Testicular torsion treatment
Immediate surgery to restore blood flow and save the testicle
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are sexually transmitted infections that if left untreated can cause
Pelvic inflammatory disease, Infertility, and preterm labor complications
Symptoms of chlamydia and gonorrhea
Typically asymptomatic; dysuria, discharge from vagina or penis, pelvic pain
Treatment for chlamydia and gonorrhea
Antibiotics such as doxycycline for chlamydia and cephalosporins for gonorrhea
Chlamydia and gonorrhea nursing care
Complete disease reporting requirements, provide patient education regarding the abstinence during treatment, the need for partner notification and treatment, and importance of safe sex practices. Educate the patient that they will need to be re-screened about three months after treatment is completed.
The spread of sexually transmitted bacteria from the vagina to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and/or ovaries
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Complications of PID
Infertility, sepsis, death
Symptoms of PID
Asymptomatic; lower abdominal pain, pelvic pain, menstrual irregularities, painful urination, and fever
Sexually transmitted bacterial infection that left untreated can result in systemic complications as well as death
Syphilis
Primary stage of syphilis
Appearance of genitalia chancre (non-tender ulcer)
Secondary stage of syphilis
Flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, muscle aches, rash on hands and feet)
Latent phase of syphilis
No visible signs or symptoms of the infection
Tertiary/late stage of syphilis
Severe neurological and cardiovascular Damage, including vision, loss, hearing loss, and damage to the heart and blood vessels
Treatment of syphilis
Antibiotics such as doxycycline
Syphilis nursing actions
Perform disease reporting requirements, educate patient about abstinence during treatment. partner notification and treatment, safe sex practices, rescreening
The most common sexually transmitted infection Characterized by genital warts and potential cancer
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Primary risk factor for cervical cancer
HPV (preventable with vaccination)
HPV vaccine should be administered before first sexual contact and first dose is typically given around age ___-___ and the second dose is given ___-___ months later
11-12; 6-12
HPV is usually as symptomatic, but HPV strains that cause genital warts can result in symptoms such as
White or flesh-colored growths in the anogenital region or the oral cavity
HPV patient education
Partner notification, annual PAP tests or more frequently if indicated
