Genitourinary & GI Assessment, Cancer Screening, and Health Promotion

65 Question-and-Answer style flashcards covering urinary and menstrual definitions, urine and stool assessment, genital examination points, cancer screenings, and key health-promotion facts from the lecture.

What is the normal number of times an adult voids per day?

About 5–6 times, depending on fluid and caffeine intake.

Which common beverage can increase urinary output due to its diuretic effect?

Caffeinated drinks such as coffee.

What is urinary urgency?

The sudden, compelling need to void that cannot be deferred.

Define nocturia.

Waking up during the night one or more times to urinate.

What is urinary hesitancy?

Difficulty starting or maintaining a steady urine stream.

Which prostate condition often causes hesitancy and affects ≈80 % of men over 60?

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).

What might cloudy urine indicate?

Possible urinary tract infection (WBCs, mucus, bacteria).

Why is clear or very pale yellow urine considered ideal?

It reflects adequate hydration and absence of infection or blood.

Visible blood in urine should prompt concern for what serious issues?

Possible malignancy (e.g., bladder, kidney) or severe infection.

Which vegetable can make urine appear blue-green and smell strong?

Asparagus.

Tea-colored urine plus pale stools may suggest what disorder?

Liver disease / jaundice with bilirubin in urine.

List three causes of pink urine.

UTI with blood, large berry intake, menstruation, or eating beets.

Red urine can be a sign of what conditions?

Gross hematuria from kidney infection, bladder or prostate cancer.

Orange urine may result from which over-the-counter UTI medication?

Phenazopyridine (Pyridium/AZO).

In obstetrics, what does LMP stand for?

Last Menstrual Period—the first day of the most recent bleed.

Typical menstrual cycle length and normal range?

≈28 days; can vary 18–45 days.

Average length of menstrual bleeding?

3–7 days.

Usual age of menarche (first period)?

Around 10–13 years.

Define amenorrhea.

Absence of menstruation in a woman of reproductive age.

Define menorrhagia.

Abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding, often with clots.

Define dysmenorrhea.

Painful cramps before or during menstruation.

Why must the uterine lining shed regularly?

To prevent excessive endometrial thickening, which raises cancer risk.

How do estrogen-containing contraceptives affect endometrial thickness?

They keep the lining thin, often reducing or eliminating periods.

Smoking while on combined oral contraceptives increases risk of what?

Thromboembolic events (blood clots).

Why are cervical cancer screenings done for anyone with a cervix regardless of partner gender?

HPV transmission is not limited to heterosexual contact.

Define urge incontinence.

Involuntary urine loss after a sudden strong urge to void.

Define stress incontinence.

Urine leakage with physical strain such as coughing, sneezing, or jumping due to weak pelvic floor muscles.

Normal characteristics of vaginal discharge?

Clear to cloudy, non-foul odor, varies with cycle phase.

How is constipation defined in stools per week?

Fewer than 3 bowel movements per week.

What is melena?

Black, tarry stool indicating digested upper GI blood.

Bright red blood in stool indicates bleeding from where?

Lower GI tract—rectum, anus, or distal colon.

On the Bristol Stool Scale, what is the ideal form?

Type 4: smooth, soft sausage or snake.

What is an acolic (clay-colored) stool associated with?

Bile obstruction from liver or biliary disease / jaundice.

Floating, foul stools (steatorrhea) signify excess what?

Undigested fat in the stool.

Best body position to facilitate defecation?

Squatting or using a “squatty potty” footstool to elevate knees.

Two key dietary elements to prevent constipation?

High fiber foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) and adequate water.

What is the lithotomy position used for?

Comprehensive pelvic and rectal examinations in females.

After retracting foreskin for care, what must be done?

Replace it to avoid paraphimosis and ischemia.

Define phimosis.

Inability to retract the foreskin over the glans penis.

Define paraphimosis.

Retracted foreskin that cannot be returned, constricting the glans.

Where should the urethral meatus normally be located on the penis?

At the tip of the glans (central).

Is slight scrotal asymmetry normal?

Yes—the left testis usually hangs lower than the right.

What happens to testicles in a cold environment?

They retract closer to the body to conserve heat.

Most common age range for testicular cancer?

15–35 years.

How often and when should males perform a testicular self-exam (TSE)?

Monthly, ideally during or after a warm shower.

At what age is PSA screening recommended for average-risk men?

Starting at age 50.

What is the PSA screening age for African-American men or those with one first-degree relative with prostate cancer?

Start at age 45.

How does a normal prostate feel on digital rectal exam?

Smooth, rubbery, symmetric, heart-shaped, non-tender, walnut-sized.

At what clock positions are Bartholin glands located?

Approximately 5 o’clock and 7 o’clock inside the vaginal introitus.

List three common symptoms of menopause.

Hot flashes/night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness (others: headaches, palpitations, numbness).

Does menopause necessarily reduce sexual desire?

No—libido can remain the same; lubrication may decline instead.

Characteristic of internal hemorrhoids?

Painless, mucosa-covered bulges that may bleed bright red.

Describe a thrombosed external hemorrhoid.

Blue-purplish, very painful, itchy lump that may burst and bleed.

Recommended age to begin average-risk colonoscopy screening?

45 years for both men and women.

Name two criteria that warrant earlier colonoscopy.

Rectal bleeding/anemia/change in habits OR ≥2 first-degree relatives with colorectal cancer.

If a colonoscopy is normal with no polyps, when is the next one due?

In 10 years.

Dietary pattern linked to higher colorectal cancer risk?

Low fiber, low produce, high red/processed meat diet.

What is a food desert?

An area with limited access to affordable fresh food, contributing to poorer health outcomes.

HPV accounts for what percentage of cervical cancers?

≈99.9 %.

Besides cervical cancer, list two other cancers linked to HPV.

Anal, oropharyngeal, vaginal, or penile cancers.

How many HPV vaccine doses are required if the series begins before age 15?

Two doses (at 0 and 6–12 months).

How many HPV vaccine doses are required if starting at age 15 or older?

Three doses (0, 1–2 months, 6 months).

Up to what age can women now receive the HPV vaccine?

Up to age 45 (shared decision-making).

Recommended cervical cancer screening interval using Pap + HPV cotest?

Every 5 years for women 30–65 with a cervix.

Interval for Pap smear alone if HPV testing not done?

Every 3 years.

When can Pap smears generally be discontinued?

At 65 after three consecutive negative Paps and no high-risk history.

Why are regular STI tests important even without symptoms?

Many infections (e.g., chlamydia, HPV, HIV) can be asymptomatic yet transmissible.

Combining smoking with oral contraceptives elevates the risk of what vascular event?

Deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.