Question

Melina is a 20-year-old nursing student who is being seen in the OB-GYN clinic for a yearly physical.

Subjective Data

Patient asking about birth control options

States she physically feels fine, no complaints at this time

Enrolled in college for nursing

Has steady boyfriend, 1-year relationship

Sexually active

Lives on campus

Nonsmoker

Exercises 3 times a week

Objective Data

Vital signs: T 37, P 64, R 12, BP 104/64

Weight: 135

HT: 5 feet 3 inches

Last menstrual cycle 10 days ago

Current birth control method condoms

Answer these questions regarding what we need to think about for Melina's situation:

1.       What patient care equipment does the nurse need for this visit?

2.       What personal protective equipment does the nurse or provider need to prepare for this visit?

3.       Describe proper hand hygiene.

4.       What other information needs to be gathered from this patient?

5.       What techniques of physical assessment might be used in this visit?

6.       What teaching should the nurse consider from the information gathered?

Answer 1

1.A nurse needs a hand sanitizer or antiseptics ,as hand sanitization is extremely important in medical care and is necessary for preventing germs from infecting the patients.

2 Personal protective equipment otherwise known as PPE should be used by a nurse while giving careSome of the commonly used PPE are Gloves,Face shield,Mask ,Gowns and Googles.For this visit the nurse need to use gloves for touching non intact skin, blood,mucous membranes and other contaminated items.Since the patient isnot having febrile illness and vitals remaining stable.

3.The health care workers should always maintain proper hand hygiene .If the hands are not visibly soiled,still it is best to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.If it is soiled and the nurse have come in contact with contaminated infectious material it would be better to follow strict hand hygiene to prevent cross- contamination.Hands should be washed before contact with a patient , after contact with body fluids,after removing gloves and after contact with medical equipment..Follow the six steps of hand washing technique.

4.The nurse should ask Melina about her Menstrual history such as cycle length,frequency,presence of intermenstrual bleeding,presence of post coital bleeding and colour,smell,duration of the discharge

5.During the visit the first physical assessment is to collect Melinas Personal History by asking questions related to previous medical history and diseases in her family,Breast self examination to check for abnormal lumps,Pelvic exam is done to check whether the reproductive organs are healthy.

6 The nurse advices Melina that yearly gynaec check -up is good for her as the gynaec will be able to detect cysts or cancer and treat it .She will be guided on how to perform breast-self examination at home.Since Melina is in a relationship with her boyfriend ,she will be adviced which contraceptive is best for her and also how to protect herself from sexually transmitted diseases.