STD Flashcards

What are the main symptoms of syphilis?

Begins with a painless sore (chancre) near genitals, anus, or mouth → rash on palms and soles → systemic symptoms if untreated (fever, malaise, organ involvement).

What causes syphilis and how is it transmitted?

• Treponema pallidum (spirochete bacterium)

• Transmitted via direct contact with chancre during sexual intercourse, or from mother to fetus (congenital).

What is the treatment for syphilis?

• Penicillin G is the drug of choice.

• Alternatives: doxycycline or tetracycline (not in pregnancy).

• Early treatment prevents long-term complications.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis B?

May be silent or cause fatigue, joint pain, nausea, jaundice, and weight loss.

What causes hepatitis B and how is it transmitted?

• Caused by Hepatitis B virus (HBV), a DNA virus.

• Transmitted through blood, saliva, sweat, tears, vaginal secretions, semen, or perinatally.

What is the treatment and prevention for hepatitis B?

• No specific antiviral cure

• Supportive care and rest

• Vaccination (HBV vaccine) and safe practices prevent infection

• Recovery can take months.

What are the symptoms of HIV/AIDS?

Flu-like illness after exposure → long asymptomatic period → weight loss, fatigue, recurrent infections, night sweats, and opportunistic infections (Kaposi’s sarcoma, PCP pneumonia).

What causes HIV and how is it transmitted?

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

• Transmitted via blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk

• Virus destroys CD4+ T-cells, weakening immunity.

What is the treatment for HIV/AIDS?

• Antiretroviral therapy (ART) daily

• Focus on viral suppression, immune preservation, and preventing transmission (PrEP, safe sex).

What are the symptoms of chlamydia?

• Often asymptomatic

• May include vaginal or penile discharge, burning with urination, lower abdominal pain

• Women: pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility risk.

What causes chlamydia and how is it transmitted?

• Chlamydia trachomatis

• Transmitted via vaginal, anal, or oral sex

• Can spread even if ejaculation doesn’t occur.

What is the treatment for chlamydia?

• Doxycycline or azithromycin

• Sexual partners should be treated simultaneously

• Retest after 3 months.

What are the symptoms of genital herpes?

• Painful vesicles/blisters on genitals, rectum, or mouth; may have fever, malaise, or lymphadenopathy.

• Initial outbreak lasts 2–3 weeks

• Recurrent infections are common.

What causes genital herpes and how is it transmitted?

• Caused by Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (oral, sometimes genital) and type 2 (genital).

• Transmitted through direct contact with active lesions.

What is the treatment for genital herpes?

• No cure

• Antivirals (acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir) reduce outbreaks and transmission

• Teach hygiene and stress reduction.

What are the symptoms of genital warts?

• Painless, flesh-colored or whitish bumps (cauliflower-like), found on vulva, cervix, penis, anus, or perineum

• May cause itching or irritation.

What causes genital warts and how is it transmitted?

• Caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

• Transmitted through skin-to-skin contact (vaginal, anal, or oral sex).

What is the treatment for genital warts?

• No cure for virus, but warts removed via topical agents (imiquimod, trichloroacetic acid), cryotherapy, or surgical excision

• HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9) prevents high-risk strains.

What are the symptoms of trichomoniasis?

• Women: frothy yellow-green discharge, vulvar irritation, “strawberry cervix.”

• Men: often asymptomatic or mild urethritis.

What causes trichomoniasis and how is it transmitted?

• Caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, a protozoan parasite

• Spread through vaginal intercourse.

What is the treatment for trichomoniasis?

• Metronidazole (Flagyl) or tinidazole

• Treat both partners

• Avoid alcohol while taking medication.

What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?

• Women: yellow-green discharge, dysuria, pelvic pain

• Men: urethral discharge and pain with urination

• May cause infertility or PID.

What causes gonorrhea and how is it transmitted?

• Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gram-negative diplococcus)

• Transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

What is the treatment for gonorrhea?

• Ceftriaxone IM (Rocephin)

• CDC recommends dual treatment with doxycycline for possible chlamydia co-infection.

What are the symptoms of thrush (yeast infection)?

• Women: thick, white “cottage cheese” discharge, vaginal itching, burning

• Men: rash or irritation on penis.

What causes thrush and how is it transmitted?

• Caused by Candida albicans overgrowth

• Not always sexually transmitted

• Risk factors: antibiotics, pregnancy, diabetes, immunosuppression.

What is the treatment for thrush?

• Antifungal agents such as fluconazole or nystatin

• Keep area clean and dry

• Recurrent infections may need maintenance therapy.

What are the symptoms of pubic lice?

Severe itching in genital area, small bluish-gray bite marks, visible nits on pubic hair.

What causes pubic lice and how is it transmitted?

• Infestation with Phthirus pubis

• Transmitted through sexual contact or sharing bedding, towels, or clothing.

What is the treatment for pubic lice?

• 1% permethrin cream rinse or pyrethrin lice treatment

• Wash clothing and linens in hot water

• Avoid contact until treatment completed.

🩺 Nursing Care Reminders (from Maternity & Med-Surg)

• Reportable STIs: Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, HIV, Hepatitis B, Trichomonas (in some states).

• Pregnancy Risks:

  • Chlamydia & Gonorrhea → newborn conjunctivitis/blindness

  • Syphilis → congenital syphilis

  • Herpes → neonatal herpes (requires C-section if active lesions)

  • HIV → perinatal transmission; ART during pregnancy

• Prevention: Consistent condom use, HPV vaccination, routine screening (especially <25 years old or with multiple partners).

• Education: Avoid sex until treatment complete, notify partners, use antibiotics as prescribed, avoid alcohol with metronidazole, increase fluids.

A nurse is teaching a client about syphilis. Which finding would the nurse expect in the primary stage of the disease?
A. Fever and rash on the palms and soles
B. A painless chancre at the site of infection
C. Neurologic symptoms such as confusion
D. Patchy hair loss and muscle pain

B. A painless chancre at the site of infection
Rationale:
- Primary syphilis presents with a single painless sore (chancre) that appears 10–90 days after exposure.
- Rash and systemic symptoms occur in secondary syphilis; neurologic problems appear later.

A nurse provides education to a client newly diagnosed with Hepatitis B. Which statement indicates correct understanding?
A. “I can share razors as long as I wash them.”
B. “I can transmit the virus through sexual activity.”
C. “Once my jaundice clears, I can donate blood.”
D. “Antibiotics will cure my infection.”

B. “I can transmit the virus through sexual activity.”
Rationale:
HBV spreads via blood and body fluids, including sexual contact.
There is no antibiotic cure; treatment is supportive. Donating blood is never allowed after infection.

A nurse is reinforcing teaching for a client with HIV. Which statement requires further teaching?
A. “I will take my ART medication every day.”
B. “I will use condoms with every sexual encounter.”
C. “Once my viral load is undetectable, I can stop treatment.”
D. “I will avoid sharing razors and toothbrushes.”

C. “Once my viral load is undetectable, I can stop treatment.”
Rationale:
ART is lifelong, even when viral load is undetectable. Stopping therapy causes viral rebound and disease progression.

Which nursing action is most appropriate for a female client diagnosed with chlamydia?
A. Prepare the client for penicillin IM injection
B. Teach the client to take doxycycline or azithromycin as prescribed
C. Advise that retesting is not necessary after treatment
D. Instruct to avoid milk and dairy products for 10 days

B. Teach the client to take doxycycline or azithromycin as prescribed
Rationale:
Chlamydia is treated with doxycycline or azithromycin.
Retesting in 3 months is recommended. Penicillin treats syphilis, not chlamydia.

A client with genital herpes asks if the disease can be cured. Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
A. “Yes, a 7-day antibiotic course will cure it.”
B. “No, but antiviral medications can reduce outbreaks.”
C. “Yes, as long as your partner is treated too.”
D. “No treatment is needed once blisters disappear.”

B. “No, but antiviral medications can reduce outbreaks.”
Rationale:
Genital herpes is a chronic, recurring viral infection.
Acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir help control symptoms but do not eradicate the virus.

A college student asks how to prevent genital warts. Which response by the nurse is best?
A. “Use antibiotics after unprotected sex.”
B. “Receive the HPV vaccine before becoming sexually active.”
C. “Limit sexual partners to two or fewer.”
D. “Avoid alcohol when taking metronidazole.”

B. “Receive the HPV vaccine before becoming sexually active.”
Rationale:
The HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9) prevents infection from high-risk HPV types that cause genital warts and cervical cancer.

A client reports frothy yellow-green vaginal discharge with itching. Which medication does the nurse anticipate will be prescribed?
A. Azithromycin
B. Acyclovir
C. Metronidazole
D. Ceftriaxone

C. Metronidazole
Rationale:
Metronidazole (Flagyl) is the drug of choice for trichomoniasis.
Treat both partners, and avoid alcohol during and 48 hours after therapy.

Which medication should the nurse expect to administer for gonorrhea?
A. Doxycycline
B. Penicillin G
C. Ceftriaxone IM
D. Metronidazole

C. Ceftriaxone IM
Rationale:
Gonorrhea is treated with a single dose of ceftriaxone IM.
CDC also recommends treating for possible chlamydia coinfection with doxycycline or azithromycin.

A client complains of thick white vaginal discharge and itching after antibiotic therapy. Which treatment should the nurse expect?
A. Ceftriaxone IM
B. Fluconazole or nystatin
C. Acyclovir
D. Azithromycin

B. Fluconazole or nystatin
Rationale:
Candidiasis is a fungal infection treated with antifungals (fluconazole PO or nystatin topical).
Keep the area clean and dry; recurrence may occur after antibiotic use.

A client diagnosed with pubic lice asks about treatment. Which nursing instruction is correct?
A. “Use 1% permethrin lotion and wash linens in hot water.”
B. “Apply antifungal cream twice daily.”
C. “Take doxycycline for seven days.”
D. “No treatment is needed once itching stops.”

A. Use 1% permethrin lotion and wash linens in hot water.
Rationale:
Pubic lice are treated with permethrin or pyrethrin lice shampoos.
All clothing, bedding, and towels should be washed in hot water to prevent reinfestation.