1. The client/caregiver can define chlamydia.
    1. It is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.
    2. It can infect both men and women.
    3. It can damage female reproductive organs, including cause infertility. Men rarely have complications.
    4. The bacteria infect the cervix and urethra and can spread to fallopian tubes.
    5. Chlamydia can infect the rectum. Even mouth and throat infection can occur if having oral sex with infected partner.
    6. Testing for chlamydia is done by obtaining cultures of cervix or penis.
  2. The client/caregiver can list symptoms of chlamydia.
    1. This is a “silent” disease because the majority of infected people have no symptoms.
    2. If symptoms appear, they will show within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure.
    3. Symptoms for women
      • Abnormal vaginal discharge
      • Burning sensation when urinating
      • Lower abdominal pain
      • Low back pain
      • Nausea
      • Fever
      • Pain during intercourse
      • Bleeding between menstrual periods
    4. Symptoms for men
      • Discharge from penis
      • Burning sensation when urinating
      • Burning or itching around opening of the penis
    5. Even mouth and throat infection can occur if having oral sex with infected partner.
    6. If rectal infection, rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding may occur.
  3. The client/caregiver can list treatment options.
    1. Antibiotic therapy is administered.
    2. Sex partners of infected person should be evaluated, tested, and treated.
    3. Infected persons should abstain from sexual intercourse until they and their sex partners have completed treatment.
    4. Retesting can be considered 3 to 4 months after treatment.
  4. The client/caregiver can describe preventive measures.
    1. Abstain from sexual contact.
    2. Be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship.
    3. Have correct and consistent use of latex male condoms.
    4. Have annual screening for sexually active women 25 years of age or younger.
    5. Have annual screening for women with new sex partner or multiple sex partners.
    6. All pregnant women should be screened.

Resources

Community Health Clinic

Centers for Disease Control and Preventionwww.cdc.gov/std/

Healthy People 2010www.health.gov/healthypeople

References

Ackley, B. J., & Ladwig, G. B. (2006). Nursing diagnosis handbook: A guide to planning care. Philadelphia: Mosby Inc.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2002). Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines. MMWR 2002;51 (no. RR-6).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2005, September). Sexually transmitted disease surveillance. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Cohen, B. J., & Taylor, J. J. (2005). Memmler’s the human body in health and disease (10th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Hunt, R. 2005. Introduction to community based nursing. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Perry, A., & Potter, P. (2006). Clinical nursing skills & technique. St. Louis: Mosby Inc.

Timby, B. K., & Smith, N. C. (2003). Introductory medical-surgical nursing (8th ed.). Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott

Credits

Client Teaching Guides for Home Health Care, 2nd ed.

© 2008 Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc.

www.jbpub.com

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