A nurse is providing instructions to a client who has primary syphilis. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the discharge plan?
A.
“You will need to take an antiviral medication for 6 months.”
B.
“You will need cryotherapy for 1 to 2 weeks,”
C.
“You will need three follow-up blood tests within a 24-month period.”
D.
“You will need to be monitored for 15 minutes after receiving each medication dose.”
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is C. “You will need three follow-up blood tests within a 24-month period.”
Explanation:
Primary syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It typically presents with a painless sore or ulcer (chancre) at the site of infection. Effective treatment usually involves the administration of penicillin, which is the first-line antibiotic for all stages of syphilis.
Once treated, it is crucial for patients to have follow-up testing to ensure that the infection has been effectively cleared and to monitor for potential reinfection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that individuals treated for syphilis undergo serological testing at 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment. This approach helps to confirm the resolution of the infection and allows for early detection of any reinfection or treatment failure.
The other options provided are not appropriate for managing primary syphilis:
- A. “You will need to take an antiviral medication for 6 months.” This is incorrect because syphilis is treated with antibiotics, not antiviral medications. Antivirals are used for viral infections, such as herpes, but not for syphilis.
- B. “You will need cryotherapy for 1 to 2 weeks.” This is also incorrect. Cryotherapy is not a treatment modality for syphilis. It is more commonly used for the removal of warts or certain skin lesions, not for bacterial infections like syphilis.
- D. “You will need to be monitored for 15 minutes after receiving each medication dose.” This statement is misleading. While monitoring is important for some medications (especially those with potential allergic reactions), routine follow-up after penicillin administration for syphilis does not typically require extended monitoring unless there is a known allergy to penicillin.
In summary, option C accurately reflects the recommended follow-up care necessary for patients treated for primary syphilis, ensuring ongoing health and prevention of complications.