St Thomas Sexual Issues Menstrual Problems & Contraceptive Problems Response
Description
All replies must be constructive and use literature where possible.
Ericka Echezarreta
Weekly Clinical Experience 6
This weeks clinical experience was without a doubt unique and successful. There were no significant challenges encountered. This week mostly consisted of well-woman visits. I saw several patients for a well women annual exam. Most of the patients were doing well with no complaints. A well-woman visit is a crucial touchpoint where women can focus, particularly on wellness and health. It is also a significant opportunity to deal with health concerns or needs with a physician, including sexual health issues, contraceptive problems, irregular periods, pelvic pain, and other disorders(Lockwood, 2019).
The well woman exam normally makes women feel uncomfortable and nervous, particularly if it is the first time. It is understandable to feel nervous prior to your first well-woman examination. Women should schedule their first well-woman examination when they turn twenty-one or become sexually active (Sanchez et al., 2019). They should also get an exam when they face any pelvic pain or menstrual irregularities. The annual exam is important because it helps prevent disorders of the female reproductive system such as cervical cancer.
Just like any other hospital visit or appointment, a well woman exam begins by asking the patient several questions about her menstrual cycle, basic demographic information, any medications she is taking, if she has conceived before, and her medical history (Lockwood, 2019). It is also important to ask if the patient is sexually active. The patients blood pressure, height, temperature, and weight were also taken. The patient was then given a dressing gown so she can change before the actual exam started.
The exams carried out include Pap smear, physical exam, pelvic and breast exam. The physical exam involved asking the patient about any complaints and reviewing her medical history. The patients reflexes, heartbeat, abdomen, lungs, neck, and vital signs were also checked. A pelvic exam was done to diagnose any inflammation, STIs (sexually transmitted diseases), and any early signs of cancer (Sanchez et al., 2019). The vagina was examined for discharge, redness, inflammation, and irritation. The position and size of the cervix, ovaries, vagina, and uterus were also examined. A pelvic exam should be done annually for women aged twenty-one years and older. Women under the age of twenty-one can also get a pelvic exam, especially if they have pelvic pain, vaginal discharge, and menstrual irregularities. A breast exam was also conducted to diagnose early breast cancer signs. Breast cancer signs can be perceived by looking for irregularities or lumps in the patients breasts (Lockwood, 2019). A pap smear was done by inserting a spatula or small brush to scrap a small tissue from the patients cervix. This test helps to rule out cervical cancer.
Patients should be educated about the importance of well woman annual exams. For instance, a well woman annual exams aids in the prevention of various complaints that affect women such as cervical cancer, unwanted pregnancies, and breast cancer. Diseases such as reproductive and breast cancer can be managed more successfully when caught early. Patients should also be educated on how to carry out self-examination to check for any irregularities or lumps in their breasts (Jalai, 2019).
From this weeks clinical experience, I have learned how to conduct a well woman annual exam. I have also learned that women should regularly visit the gynecologist or obstetrician because it is a vital way to create a trusting and long-term relationship with their doctor. A well woman visit provides women an opportunity to evaluate their health via screenings such as a pelvic exam.
References
Lockwood, C. J. (2019). Key points for todays well-womanexam: A guide for ob/gyns. Contemporary Ob/gyn, 64(1), 23-29.
Jalai, C. M. (2019). Educating Patients on Screening Guidelines and Expectations for Well-Woman Examinations.
Sanchez, C., Israel, R., Hughes, C., & Gorman, N. (2019). Well-woman Examinations: Beyond Cervical Cancer Screening. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 15(2), 189-194.
Place your order now for a similar assignment, and have writers from our team of experts write it for you, guaranteeing you an A+