Assignment : NURS 6512 Assessing the Genitalia and Rectum
Walden University Assignment : NURS 6512 Assessing the Genitalia and Rectum-Step-By-Step Guide
This guide will demonstrate how to complete the Walden University Assignment : NURS 6512 Assessing the Genitalia and Rectum assignment based on general principles of academic writing. Here, we will show you the A, B, Cs of completing an academic paper, irrespective of the instructions. After guiding you through what to do, the guide will leave one or two sample essays at the end to highlight the various sections discussed below.
How to Research and Prepare for Assignment : NURS 6512 Assessing the Genitalia and Rectum
Whether one passes or fails an academic assignment such as the Walden University Assignment : NURS 6512 Assessing the Genitalia and Rectum depends on the preparation done beforehand. The first thing to do once you receive an assignment is to quickly skim through the requirements. Once that is done, start going through the instructions one by one to clearly understand what the instructor wants. The most important thing here is to understand the required format—whether it is APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.
After understanding the requirements of the paper, the next phase is to gather relevant materials. The first place to start the research process is the weekly resources. Go through the resources provided in the instructions to determine which ones fit the assignment. After reviewing the provided resources, use the university library to search for additional resources. After gathering sufficient and necessary resources, you are now ready to start drafting your paper.
How to Write the Introduction for Assignment : NURS 6512 Assessing the Genitalia and Rectum
The introduction for the Walden University Assignment : NURS 6512 Assessing the Genitalia and Rectum is where you tell the instructor what your paper will encompass. In three to four statements, highlight the important points that will form the basis of your paper. Here, you can include statistics to show the importance of the topic you will be discussing. At the end of the introduction, write a clear purpose statement outlining what exactly will be contained in the paper. This statement will start with “The purpose of this paper…” and then proceed to outline the various sections of the instructions.
How to Write the Body for Assignment : NURS 6512 Assessing the Genitalia and Rectum
After the introduction, move into the main part of the Assignment : NURS 6512 Assessing the Genitalia and Rectum assignment, which is the body. Given that the paper you will be writing is not experimental, the way you organize the headings and subheadings of your paper is critically important. In some cases, you might have to use more subheadings to properly organize the assignment. The organization will depend on the rubric provided. Carefully examine the rubric, as it will contain all the detailed requirements of the assignment. Sometimes, the rubric will have information that the normal instructions lack.
Another important factor to consider at this point is how to do citations. In-text citations are fundamental as they support the arguments and points you make in the paper. At this point, the resources gathered at the beginning will come in handy. Integrating the ideas of the authors with your own will ensure that you produce a comprehensive paper. Also, follow the given citation format. In most cases, APA 7 is the preferred format for nursing assignments.
How to Write the Conclusion for Assignment : NURS 6512 Assessing the Genitalia and Rectum
After completing the main sections, write the conclusion of your paper. The conclusion is a summary of the main points you made in your paper. However, you need to rewrite the points and not simply copy and paste them. By restating the points from each subheading, you will provide a nuanced overview of the assignment to the reader.
How to Format the References List for Assignment : NURS 6512 Assessing the Genitalia and Rectum
The very last part of your paper involves listing the sources used in your paper. These sources should be listed in alphabetical order and double-spaced. Additionally, use a hanging indent for each source that appears in this list. Lastly, only the sources cited within the body of the paper should appear here.
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Sample Answer for Assignment NURS 6512 Assessing the Genitalia and Rectum
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Assessment of the genitalia and rectum is vital in depicting genitourinary and gastrointestinal abnormalities respectively. A rectal examination is necessary to complete an abdominal exam. Meanwhile, assessment of the genitalia is usually sensitive and must be done in the presence of a chaperone. The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential history, physical exam, and differential diagnosis based on a case scenario of T.S. a 32-year-old woman who presents with dysuria, frequency, and urgency for two days. She is sexually active and has had a new partner for the past three months.
Subjective
A triad of urgency, frequency, and dysuria characterizes a pathology that is most likely in the urinary tract. Consequently, it is essential to inquire about associated symptoms such as hematuria, fever, and malaise. Association with malaise and fever is common in urinary tract infections. Similarly, it is important to inquire about the presence of any abnormal vaginal discharge, and burning sensation during urination since she is sexually active and a sexually transmitted infection might be the cause of her symptoms. Likewise, changes in the smell and color of the urine must be elicited as well as associated suprapubic pain. Related to sexually transmitted infections, it is crucial to inquire about the number of sexual partners if similar symptoms have manifested in her partner or the use of protection during intercourse (Garcia & Wray, 2022).
Similarly, her last menstrual period must be known to determine if pregnant as this will impact the management (Bono et al., 2022). Additionally, a history of medication use, alcohol, smoking, and use of illicit drugs must be elicited. A history of contact with an individual with a chronic cough or TB prior to the occurrence of the previous symptoms must be elicited as urogenital TB may present similarly. Finally, it is crucial to inquire about any history of trauma or recent urethral catheterization as these are common risk factors for urinary tract infections.
Objective
The vital signs are mandatory in this patient as it is a pelvic exam. In the general exam, the mental and nutrition status of the patient must be noted. Additionally, a complete abdominal exam must be conducted as the patient has flank pain and suprapubic tenderness. Palpation of the abdomen for any masses and percussion of the flank for costovertebral angle tenderness must be done (Bono et al., 2022). Similarly, complete respiratory and cardiovascular exams must be conducted as a routine during the assessment of any patient. Finally, a digital rectal examination must be performed to exclude associated rectal abnormalities.
Assessment
In addition to urinalysis, STI, and pap smear testing, a complete blood count and urine culture must be conducted as the patient presents with signs of infection. Similarly, a pregnancy test must be conducted as this may complicate urinary tract infections. Additionally, she has no appetite and therefore a random blood sugar must be done to exclude hypoglycemia. Similarly, urea, creatinine, and electrolyte must be conducted to check the renal function as the patient has flank pain. Finally, Inflammatory markers such as ESR and CRP as well as blood cultures must be done as the patient has flank pain which may indicate pyelonephritis (Bono et al., 2022). Imaging tests are not necessary for the diagnosis of lower UTI. However, the patient has flank pain, and therefore, a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with or without IV contrast as well as an ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder must be done to identify any pathologies and outline the architecture of the kidney and bladder (Belyayeva & Jeong, 2022)
The possible diagnoses include a urinary tract infection and a sexually-transmitted infection. Urinary tract infections refer to the infection of the bladder, urethra, ureters, or kidneys (Bono et al., 2022). UTIs are more common in women, a consequence of a short urethra and proximity of the anal and genital regions (Bono et al., 2022). A triad of frequency, dysuria, and urgency collectively defines the irritative lower urinary tract symptoms (Bono et al., 2022). Similarly, suprapubic tenderness is a key feature of lower urinary tract infections. However, the patient is also feverish and has flank pain which also denotes the potential for involvement of the upper urinary tract (Bono et al., 2022). T.S is also sexually active, a risk factor for urinary tract infection.
A sexually transmitted infection is another possible diagnosis. T.S is sexually active and she has had her new partner for the last three months which is a key risk factor for this condition (Garcia & Wray, 2022). Most STIs present with suprapubic pain. Most STIs are asymptomatic and if symptomatic manifests with urethral discharge, vaginal discharge, pruritus, and pain (Garcia & Wray, 2022). T.S was negative for the aforementioned features.
Other differential diagnoses include pyelonephritis, interstitial cystitis, and urethritis due to an STI. Pyelonephritis is of the renal pelvis and parenchyma (Belyayeva & Jeong, 2022). It is usually a complication of ascending bacterial infection of the bladder and manifests principally with frequency, dysuria, urgency, fever, malaise, flank pain, and suprapubic pain (Belyayeva & Jeong, 2022). Interstitial cystitis is a chronic noninfectious idiopathic cystitis associated with recurrent suprapubic pain (Daniels et al., 2018). It presents with urgency, frequency, suprapubic discomfort, and pain relieved by voiding. T.S has some of these features although the gradual onset of symptomatology and a duration of more than six weeks is required for the diagnosis of this condition (Daniels et al., 2018). Finally, urethritis secondary to an STI may present in females with only frequency, urgency, and dysuria with minimal or no vaginal discharge (Young et al., 2022).
Conclusion
Assessment of the genitalia and rectum is sensitive and may help identify abnormalities of the rectum and genitourinary tract. Most abnormalities of the genitourinary system particularly UTIs and STIs can be diagnosed clinically. Consequently, a comprehensive history and physical examination are mandatory. Most UTIs are common in females. Pregnancy must always be excluded in a patient presenting with features suggestive of a UTI.
References
Belyayeva, M., & Jeong, J. M. (2022). Acute Pyelonephritis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30137822/
Bono, M. J., Leslie, S. W., & Reygaert, W. C. (2022). Urinary Tract Infection. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29261874/
Daniels, A. M., Schulte, A. R., & Herndon, C. M. (2018). Interstitial cystitis: An update on the disease process and treatment. Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy, 32(1), 49–58. https://doi.org/10.1080/15360288.2018.1476433
Garcia, M. R., & Wray, A. A. (2022). Sexually Transmitted Infections. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32809643/
Young, A., Toncar, A., & Wray, A. A. (2022). Urethritis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30725967/
Patients are frequently uncomfortable discussing with health care professional’s issues that involve the genitalia and rectum; however, gathering an adequate history and properly conducting a physical exam are vital. Examining case studies of genital and rectal abnormalities can help prepare advanced practice nurses to accurately assess patients with problems in these areas.
In this assignment, you will consider case studies that describe abnormal findings in patients seen in a clinical setting.
In this assignment, you will analyze a SOAP note case study that describes abnormal findings in patients seen in a clinical setting. You will consider what history should be collected from the patients, as well as which physical exams and diagnostic tests should be conducted. You will also formulate a differential diagnosis with several possible conditions.
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Sample Answer 2 for Assignment NURS 6512 Assessing the Genitalia and Rectum
GENITALIA ASSESSMENT
Subjective:
CC: “I have bumps on my bottom that I want to have checked out.â€
HPI: AB, a 21-year-old WF college student reports to your clinic with external bumps on her genital area. She states the bumps are painless and feel rough. She states she is sexually active and has had more than one partner over the past year. Her initial sexual contact occurred at age 18. She reports no abnormal vaginal discharge. She is unsure how long the bumps have been there but noticed them about a week ago. Her last Pap smear exam was 3 years ago, and no dysplasia was found; the exam results were normal. She reports one sexually transmitted infection (chlamydia) about 2 years ago. She completed the treatment for chlamydia as prescribed.
PMH: Asthma
Medications: Symbicort 160/4.5mcg
Allergies: NKDA
FH: No hx of breast or cervical cancer, Father hx HTN, Mother hx HTN, GERD
Social: Denies tobacco use; occasional etoh, married, 3 children (1 girl, 2 boys)
Objective:
VS: Temp 98.6; BP 120/86; RR 16; P 92; HT 5’10â€; WT 169lbs
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Heart: RRR, no murmurs
Lungs: CTA, chest wall symmetrical
Genital: Normal female hair pattern distribution; no masses or swelling. Urethral meatus intact without erythema or discharge. Perineum intact with a healed episiotomy scar present. Vaginal mucosa pink and moist with rugae present, pos for firm, round, small, painless ulcer noted on external labia
Abd: soft, normoactive bowel sounds, neg rebound, neg murphy’s, neg McBurney
Diagnostics: HSV specimen obtained
Assessment:
Chancre
PLAN: This section is not required for the assignments in this course (NURS 6512) but will be required for future courses.
To prepare:
With regard to the SOAP note case study provided:
Review this week’s Learning Resources, and consider the insights they provide about the case study.
Consider what history would be necessary to collect from the patient in the case study.
Consider what physical exams and diagnostic tests would be appropriate to gather more information about the patient’s condition. How would the results be used to make a diagnosis?
Identify at least five possible conditions that may be considered in a differential diagnosis for the patient.
To complete:
Refer to Chapter 5 of the Sullivan text. Analyze the SOAP note case study. Using evidence based resources, answer the following questions and support your answers using current evidence from the literature.
Analyze the subjective portion of the note. List additional information that should be included in the documentation.
Analyze the objective portion of the note. List additional information that should be included in the documentation.
Is the assessment supported by the subjective and objective information? Why or Why not?
Would diagnostics be appropriate for this case and how would the results be used to make a diagnosis?
Would you reject/accept the current diagnosis? Why or why not? Identify three possible conditions that may be considered as a differential diagnosis for this patient. Explain your reasoning using at least 3 different references from current evidence based literature.
Sample Answer for Assignment NURS 6512 Assessing the Genitalia and Rectum
Assessment is one of the skills that nurses should possess in their practice. Nurses use their assessment knowledge and skills in developing accurate diagnoses and plans of care for their patients. The assessment skills that nurses often use in their practice include history taking and physical examination such as observation, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. Assessment results also guide the evaluation of care given to the patients. Nurses use evaluation information to determine the accuracy of their diagnoses, plans, and interventions used to address the care needs of their patients. Therefore, this paper is an examination of a case study of client who presented to the clinic with genitourinary problem. The client came with a history of external pumps in her genital area, which are painless and rough. The history obtained from her shows that she had the last pap smear test three years ago, which was normal. The patient does not have any significant medical, family or surgical history. Therefore, the paper examines the subjective and objective data that should be obtained for the patient, diagnostic investigations and differential diagnoses for the client.
Additional Subjective Data
The nurse should focus on obtaining additional subjective data from the patient besides those in the case snapshot. The additional subjective data will guide the development of accurate diagnosis and treatment plan for the client. The nurse should obtain the information about additional symptoms that are associated with the external pumps on her genitalia (Stephen & Skillen, 2020). The nurse should obtain information such as size, shape, any discharge, or changes in the pumps that might have occurred over the past in terms of appearance. The nurse should also obtain additional information about any history of similar pumps in the past. A history of closely related pumps of the genital area could guide the development of diagnoses such as warts in the patient. There is also the need for the nurse to obtain information related to medication use by the patient. A history of medication uses such as those used in managing the pumps could aid in determining the cause of the problem (Stephen & Skillen, 2020). History on medication use could also guide the determination of whether the pumps are attributable to side effects or adverse reactions to a drug.
Moreover, the nurse should obtain information about the use of any irritants in the past that might have caused the pump. For example, information about the types of soaps that the patient uses should be obtained. The client should also be asked about her sexual preferences. This will provide information about her sexual habits, which might have led to the development of the pumps. The effect of the pumps on the self-perception of the client should also be obtained. The nurse should try to rate the effect of the pumps on her self-image and self-esteem using an appropriate rating scale (Forbes & Watt, 2020). The additional subjective data that may be needed include history of skin problems such as eczema, menstrual history, and occupational history to determine any risk factors in her workplace place.
Additional Objective Data
Additional objective data should also be obtained from the client to increase the accuracy of the diagnosis. The nurse should have performed a rectal examination. The examination could have provided clues such as the presence of hemorrhoids or anal fissures. The nurse should have also provided information about the general appearance of the client. The general appearance could have provided clues on the social, emotional and physical impact of the pumps on the client (Cox, 2019). The nurse should have also performed head to toe examination of the client. The examination could have included the assessment of the skin to determine the existence of undetected skin lesions. The nurse should have also examined the oral cavity for any lesions, neck for inflamed lymph nodes and neck rigidity. The nurse should have also assessed the chest for any abnormal findings such as appearance, shape, or palpitations on auscultation (Champagne et al., 2017). The above information could have guided the accuracy of the diagnoses made by the nurse.
Whether Subjective and Objective Data Support the Assessment
The assessment is supported by subjective and objective data. Subjective data is the data that the patient provides concerning her experience with the health problem. The information is based on the perceived experiences by the patient and the management of the health problem. Subjective data provides the basis of assessment and physical examinations of the patient. The examples of subjective data that support the assessment include the client’s complaints, history of the complains, history of any vaginal discharge, her Pap smear examinations, and any significant past medical, surgical and family history. Objective data on the other hand is the data that the nurse obtains using assessment and physical examination techniques. The data is not based on the subjective experiences of the patient with the disease but the physiological changes in the patient due to the disease. Objective data is used to validate the subjective data (Perry et al., 2021). The examples of objective data in the case study include vital signs, auscultation of the heart and lungs and the observation of the genitalia. The diagnostic investigations that were ordered also form part of the objective data that supports the assessment.
Diagnostics
The development of accurate diagnosis of the client’s problem can be achieved by performing a number of diagnostic investigations. One of them is skin scrap. A scrap of the pumps can be obtained for laboratory examination. The other investigation is tzank smear to test for herpes simplex. The client should be tested for syphilis using diagnostics such as Darkfield microscopy or enzyme immunoassay (Perry et al., 2021).
Current Diagnosis
The current diagnosis of chancre is accurate. Patients with chancre present with symptoms similar to those of the client in the case study. For example, the ulcers are asymptomatic and can last for a period of up to six weeks (Cox, 2019).
Differential Diagnoses
One of the differential diagnoses that should be considered for the patient in the case study is contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is a skin condition that is characterized by symptoms such as the presence of rashes, which are dry, scaly and cracked. It is however the least likely due to the absence of itchiness and oozing or crusting of the rashes. The second differential diagnosis is syphilis. The client has a history of multiple sexual partners, which predisposes her to syphilis. Patients with syphilis also show skin rashes such as chancre in the early stages of syphilis. The last differential diagnosis is herpes simplex. Patients with herpes simplex may have symptoms such as rashes in the genitals
Conclusion
The diagnosis of chancre in the case study is accurate. Additional subjective and objective data should be obtained to come up with an accurate diagnosis. Differential diagnoses such as syphilis, herpes simplex, and contact dermatitis should however be considered. In addition, further diagnostic investigations should be performed to come up with an accurate diagnosis.
References
Champagne, B. J., Steele, S. R., Hendren, S. K., Bakaki, P. M., Roberts, P. L., Delaney, C. P., … & MacRae, H. M. (2017). The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons assessment tool for performance of laparoscopic colectomy. Diseases of the Colon & Rectum, 60(7), 738-744.
Cox, C. L. (2019). Physical Assessment for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals. John Wiley & Sons.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/DCR.0000000000000817
Forbes, H., & Watt, E. (2020). Jarvis’s Health Assessment and Physical Examination – E-Book: Australian and New Zealand. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Kohtz, C., Brown, S. C., Williams, R., & O’Connor, P. A. (2017). Physical assessment techniques in nursing education: a replicated study. Journal of Nursing Education, 56(5), 287-291. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20170421-06
Perry, A. G., Potter, P. A., Ostendorf, W., & Laplante, N. (2021). Clinical Nursing Skills and Techniques—E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Stephen, T. C., & Skillen, D. L. (2020). Canadian Nursing Health Assessment. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Sample Answer 4 for Assignment NURS 6512 Assessing the Genitalia and Rectum
Genitourinary problems are among the public health concerns globally. Nurses and other healthcare providers adopt evidence-based interventions that would optimize patient outcomes in the treatment of these conditions. Subjective and objective data help nurses to formulate diagnoses and treatment plans. Therefore, this essay examines TS’s case study. TS has presented to the hospital complaining of dysuria, urgency, and frequency for the last two days. The essay focuses on topics that include additional subjective and objective information that should be obtained from the patient, if subjective and objective data supports the assessment, appropriate diagnostics, accepting or rejecting the diagnosis, and differential diagnoses to be considered for the patient.
Additional Subjective Information
Additional subjective information should be obtained from TS. Firstly, information about the character of her urine should be obtained. This includes information such as the smell and color of the urine. Bloodstained urine could indicate bladder problems while urine with a strong smell could imply that TS has a urinary tract infection. The nurse should also ask for information about the presence or absence of abnormal vaginal discharge. For instance, yellow or purulent vaginal discharge would indicate sexually transmitted infections. The character of TS’s symptoms should also be obtained. This includes seeking information on the factors that precipitate or alleviate her urinary symptoms. She should be asked about any activity that worsens or relieves her symptoms (Kaur & Kaur, 2021). The nurse should also assess her current level of pain using the pain rating scale. Pain rating could indicate the severity of her condition.
The nurse should also ask TS about her sexual habits. This includes sexual preferences and the use of protection when engaging in sexual intercourse. The information would help the nurse rule out causes such as sexually transmitted infections. Additional sexual-related information that should be obtained includes the use of contraceptives, the last menstrual period, and menstrual cycle problems. The nurse should also obtain information about any history of recurrent urinary tract infections. This would help determine if she has chronic urinary tract infections. Similarly, information about the history of sexually transmitted infections should be obtained to rule them out in her case. Information about her partner’s history of sexually transmitted infections and testing should also be obtained to rule out a risk of STD transmission. Information about TS’s social history is also needed. This includes data about smoking, dietary practices, and alcohol use (Bono et al., 2024). The nurse should also rule out the potential of heredity of TS’s problem. Information about a family history of health problems such as kidney disease or symptoms that TS has should be obtained.
Additional Objective Information
Additional objective information should be obtained in TS’s case to guide the development of an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Firstly, the nurse should provide information about TS’s general appearance. Information such as her overall grooming, weight changes, presence or absence of chills or fatigue should be included in the objective portion. Abdominal assessment should provide information about the presence or absence of organomegaly, or abnormal pulsations. The case study should also provide detailed information about urine description (Bono et al., 2024). This includes urine color, smell, and the presence or absence of pus or blood in the urine.
The nurse should also provide information about the assessment of the genitourinary system. Information such as the presence or absence of vaginal discharge, lesions, or trauma should be documented to rule out causes such as sexually transmitted infections and intimate partner violence. The nurse should also assess TS’s level of pain. She should use a pain rating scale to determine the severity of her pain and prioritize the treatment plan accordingly (Boon et al., 2021). Pain assessment should also include TS’s experiences of pain on abdominal palpation.
If the Assessment is Supported by Subjective and Objective Information
Subjective and objective information support TS’s assessment. Nurses obtain subjective information by asking patients questions that relate to their health problems and different body systems. The subjective data helps the nurse determine the severity of a health problem and its impact on the client’s health and overall well-being. TS’s case study has subjective information. They include her chief complaints, history of her presenting illness, surgical history, past medical history, medication use, allergies, and social history. Nurses obtain objective data from their patients by using methods such as inspection, palpation, auscultation, and percussion. The objective data validates subjective claims by the patient. The case study has objective information. They include TS’s vital signs, abdominal assessment, and diagnostics ordered.
Appropriate Diagnostics for the Case
Some diagnostic and laboratory investigations should be ordered in TS’s case study to guide develop an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Firstly, a urinalysis test should be performed to rule out urinary tract infections. A diagnosis of urinary tract infection will be made should her urine test reveal the presence of leucocytes and nitrites. The presence of proteins in urine will indicate cardiovascular problems such as hypertension while the presence of glucose would imply that TS has diabetes. The presence of ketones will indicate the possibility of dehydration. TS should also be tested for sexually transmitted infections. Blood tests, vaginal swabs, and urine samples should be taken to rule out sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea and chlamydia infections. An abdominal CT scan should also be performed to rule out causes such as kidney stones. MRI might also be needed to rule out kidney stones and other renal pathologies that could be associated with TS’s problems (Kaur & Kaur, 2021). Lastly, cervical screening for cervical cancer should be done. Cervical screening would also help rule out other causes such as vaginosis in TS’s case.
Accepting or Rejecting Current Diagnosis Differential Diagnoses
I would accept the current diagnosis. TS’s complaints align with those seen in patients with urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted infections. Often, patients with these conditions experience dysuria, urgency, frequency, and fever, which are present in TS’s case (Bono et al., 2024). Therefore, additional diagnostic and laboratory tests will help determine if TS is suffering from STDs or UTIs. TS’s history of engaging in unprotected sex with her new partner makes STDs among the probable diagnoses to be considered.
One of the differential diagnoses that should be considered for TS is perinephric abscess. Perinephric access is a condition that develops from the spread of infections from other regions of the genitourinary tract to the kidneys (Okafor & Onyeaso, 2024). The infections result in the development of abscesses. Patients experience symptoms that include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, flank pain, and fatigue (Adams et al., 2020). Unlike urinary tract infections or STDs, patients with perinephric abscesses might not experience symptoms such as urinary frequency or dysuria.
The other differential diagnosis that should be considered for TS is urethral syndrome. Urethral syndrome is a genitourinary condition characterized by urinary frequency, urgency, suprapubic pain, and dysuria. It develops from any condition that causes urethral irritation and inflammation. The urethral syndrome can develop due to sexually transmitted infections, urinary tract infections, or the use of foods that irritate the urethra (Sell et al., 2021). A confirmed diagnosis of either UTI or STD might indicate its co-existence with urethral syndrome.
The last differential diagnosis that should be considered for TS is kidney stones. Kidney stones develop from crystal deposition in the kidneys. Factors such as dehydration, intake of diets rich in salt, and overweight or obesity predispose individuals to kidney stones. Patients experience symptoms such as severe, sharp back or flank pain, pain radiating to the groin or lower abdominal regions, and dysuria. Patients might also report passing red or brown urine, foul-smelling and cloudy urine, frequency, nausea and vomiting, chills, and fever (Thongprayoon et al., 2020; Wang et al., 2021). The absence of red or brown-colored urine and sharp pain show that kidney stones are not the cause of TS’s complaints.
Conclusion
Overall, additional subjective and objective information should be obtained in the case study. Subjective and objective data support the assessment. Additional diagnostics and laboratory investigations should be ordered to develop an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. I accept the current diagnosis based on TS’s symptoms. The three differential diagnoses that should be considered in TS’s case study include kidney stones, urethral syndrome, and perinephric abscess.
References
Adams, M., Bouzigard, R., Al-Obaidi, M., & Zangeneh, T. T. (2020). Perinephric abscess in a renal transplant recipient due to Mycoplasma hominis: Case report and review of the literature. Transplant Infectious Disease, 22(5), e13308. https://doi.org/10.1111/tid.13308
Bono, M. J., Leslie, S. W., & Reygaert, W. C. (2024). Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470195/
Boon, H. A., Bruel, A. V. den, Struyf, T., Gillemot, A., Bullens, D., & Verbakel, J. Y. (2021). Clinical Features for the Diagnosis of Pediatric Urinary Tract Infections: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The Annals of Family Medicine, 19(5), 437–446. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.2684
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Sample Answer for Assignment NURS 6512 Assessing the Genitalia and Rectum
The SOAP note portrays a 21-year-old White female patient presenting with external bumps on her genital area. She describes the bumps as painless and rough but denies having abnormal vaginal discharge. The patient states that she had a history of chlamydia about two years ago, but she completed the medication. This paper analyzes the SOAP note’s subjective, objective, and assessment portion and discusses the differential diagnoses.
Subjective Portion
Additional information needed in the HPI includes condoms use and the medication the patient used in treating chlamydia. The PMH should include information on the age the patient was diagnosed with asthma and history of the last asthma attack and hospitalization due to asthma. Additional information is required on the allergies the patient has that trigger asthma attacks. The social history should include information on the patient’s level of education, employment, health promotion practices, exercise, diet, sleeping patterns, hobbies, and cultural practices. Furthermore, the subjective portion should include immunization status, surgical history, and reproductive health history. In addition, a review of systems (ROS) should be provided, including positive and negative symptoms in general, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary symptoms.
Objective Portion
The objective portion should have more information on findings from the general physical examination. This includes information on dressing and grooming, general health status, mood, speech, posture, gait, eye contact, and speech. Since it is a focused exam of the genitalia and rectum, information should be provided on speculum examination, bimanual examination, and rectal exam findings.
Assessment
The identified differential is chancre. Chancre refers to a painless ulcer with an indurated margin and a clean base (Roett, 2020). It is supported by subjective and objective findings based on the patient’s history of painless rough bumps on the external genitalia. Exam findings of a hard, round, small, painless ulcer on the external labia support the differential of chancre.
Diagnostics
Diagnostics are essential for this case scenario to help determine the causative agent of the genital ulcer. A genital ulcer is a common manifestation in various STIs, including
HSV infection, chancroid, syphilis, granuloma inguinale, and lymphogranuloma venereum (Maliyar et al., 2019). Diagnostic tests that should be indicated for this case include polymerase chain reaction testing or culture for HSV infection and HSV type-specific serology. Serologic testing is needed to rule out syphilis and culture for H. ducreyi to rule out chancroid (Maliyar et al., 2019). In addition, genital swabs or bubo aspirate can be tested for C. trachomatis through direct immunofluorescence, culture, or nucleic acid amplification to rule out lymphogranuloma venereum.
Differential Diagnoses
Chancre is a term used to describe a specific genital ulcer rather than a medical diagnosis. Therefore, I would reject the current diagnosis of chancre since it does not fit a medical diagnosis term. Conditions that may be considered differential diagnoses include:
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection
The initial manifestation of genital HSV infection includes multiple vesicular lesions, often painless, on the foreskin, vagina, labia, or rectum. The vesicles often rupture spontaneously to become painful, shallow ulcers (Roett, 2020). Prodromal symptoms often occur before the ulceration, including a mild tingling sensation or sharp pain in the hips, buttocks, or legs (Roett, 2020). Genital HSV is a differential diagnosis based on findings of painless rough external genital bumps and the presence of a hard, round, small, painless ulcer on the outer labia.
Primary Syphilis
The classic symptom of primary syphilis is a painless ulcer with an indurated margin and a clean base. Primary syphilis typically presents with solitary lesions, but multiple lesions can occur (O’Byrne & MacPherson, 2019). Infected persons may develop unilateral or bilateral painless, non-suppurative inguinal adenopathy after the appearance of the chancre (O’Byrne & MacPherson, 2019). Pertinent positive findings consistent with primary syphilis include the history of painless rough external bumps and findings of a firm, round, small, painless ulcer noted on the outer labia. Furthermore, the patient has a history of multiple sexual partners, which puts her at risk of contracting STIs such as syphilis.
Chancroid
Chancroid manifests with a non-indurated and painful genital ulcer with a serpiginous border and friable base. The genital ulcers develop on the prepuce and frenulum of the penis in men or on the vulva or cervix in females (Lautenschlager et al., 2017). In addition, infected persons have tender, suppurative, unilateral inguinal lymphadenopathy (Lautenschlager et al., 2017). Chancroid is a differential diagnosis based on the presence of a genital ulcer on the outer labia. However, the patient’s ulcer is painless, making it a less likely primary diagnosis.
Conclusion
The subjective portion should include additional information on contraceptive use, history of asthma, surgical, reproductive history, social history, and ROS. The objective portion should include findings from the general exam, speculum, bimanual, and rectal exam. Diagnostics are appropriate to rule out or confirm HSV infection, chancroid, syphilis, granuloma inguinale, and lymphogranuloma venereum. The possible differential diagnoses include HSV infection, syphilis, and chancroid.
References
Lautenschlager, S., Kemp, M., Christensen, J. J., Mayans, M. V., & Moi, H. (2017). 2017 European guideline for the management of chancroid. International journal of STD & AIDS, 28(4), 324-329. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956462416687913
Maliyar, K., Mufti, A., Syed, M., Selk, A., Dutil, M., Bunce, P. E., & Alavi, A. (2019). Genital ulcer disease: a review of pathogenesis and clinical features. Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery, 23(6), 624-634. https://doi.org/10.1177/1203475419858955
O’Byrne, P., & MacPherson, P. (2019). Syphilis. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 365, l4159. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l4159
Roett, M. A. (2020). Genital Ulcers: Differential Diagnosis and Management. American Family Physician, 101(6), 355-361.