Page 694 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

associated with an increased risk for
premature birth, stillbirth, neonatal
conjunctivitis, and newborn
chlamydial pneumonia
b. Can cause salpingitis, pelvic abscesses,
ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain,
and infertility
c. Diagnostic test is culture for Chlamydia
trachomatis.
2. Assessment
a. Usually asymptomatic—may have
dysuria or dyspareunia
b. Bleeding between periods or after
coitus
c. Mucoid or purulent cervical discharge
d. Dysuria and pelvic pain
3. Interventions
a. Screen the client to determine whether
she is high risk; this is indicated for all
pregnant clients if the client is in a
high-risk group or if infants from
previous pregnancies have developed
neonatal conjunctivitis or pneumonia.
b. Instruct the client in the importance of
rescreening, because reinfection can
occur as the client nears term.
c. Ensure that the sexual partner is treated
for the infection.
d. Treatment for both gonorrhea and
chlamydia should be done, which
includes antibiotics.
e. Complications in pregnancy may
include septic spontaneous abortion or
miscarriage, preterm delivery,
premature rupture of the membranes
(PROM), chorioamnionitis,
disseminated gonococcal infection,
ophthalmia neonatorum, postpartum
metritis.
B. Syphilis
1. Description
a. Syphilis is a chronic infectious disease
caused by the organism Treponema
pallidum.
b. Transmission is by physical contact
with syphilitic lesions, which usually
are found on the skin, mucous
membranes of the mouth, or genitals.

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