1. Assessment of the Reproductive System

2. Female Reproductive System
External genitalia: vulva, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule, perineum
Internal genitalia: vagina, uterus, corpus, cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries
Breasts
Menstruation and menopause

4. Male Reproductive System
External genitalia: penis, scrotum
Internal genitalia: testes and spermatic cord, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles and ejaculatory ducts, prostate gland
Inguinal area

6. Assessment Techniques: Female
History: pain, bleeding, discharge, masses
Physical assessment
Breast examination
Abdominal examination
Examination of the external genitalia
Pelvic examination
Bimanual examination
Rectovaginal examination

7. Assessment techniques
History
The nurse uses data about client’s age, sex, and culture to assess the risk for certain diseases. The nurse considers the client’s age in evaluating the reproductive system.
Personal history( the nurse assesses he client’s health habits, such as diet, sleep, and exercise patterns.) 7

8. Family history helps to determine the client’s risk for conditions that affects reproductive system functioning.
Diet history is often critical for the correct interpretation of presenting symptoms of the reproductive system.
Social history of the client provides insight into the whole person, including stressors, job history, education. 8

9. Obstetric History
Number of pregnancies, live deliveries, stillbirths, abortions
Difficulties with pregnancies, deliveries
Birth weight of babies
Problems with infertility 9

10. Use of Contraception Type used (past and present)
Difficulties with method, suitability
If discontinued, reasons for doing so 10

11. Sexual History Sexual orientation Regularity of intercourse
Number of partners in the past 12 months
Associated symptoms (e.g., pain, postcoital bleeding)
Sexual dysfunction 11

12. Current health problem
If a client seeks medical attention for a problem related to the reproductive system, the nurse asks additional questions to explore the chief complaint. 12

13. Onset (sudden or gradual) Chronology
Current situation (improving or deteriorating)
Location
Radiation
Quality
Timing (frequency, duration)
Severity
Precipitating and aggravating factors
Relieving factors
Associated symptoms
Effects on daily activities
Previous diagnosis of similar episodes
Previous treatments
Efficacy of previous treatments 13

14. Most complaints concern pain, discharge, masses,
and reproductive functioning 14

16. Pain Onset, location, radiation, character, severity
Relation to menstruation
Aggravating and relieving factors
Use of analgesics and their effect
Associated gastrointestinal, urinary or vaginal symptoms
Are symptoms related to an encounter with a new sexual partner?
The nurse should not assume that the initial medical diagnosis is conclusive 16

18. Vaginal Discharge The nurse asks about:
Onset, color, odor, consistency, quantity
Relation to menstrual period
Associated symptoms (e.g., rectal or urethral discharge, vaginal itch or burning, urinary symptoms, malaise, abdominal pain, fever)
Relation to medication use (e.g., antibiotics, steroids)
History of previous vaginal or pelvic infections and their treatment 18

21. Masses any reported masses in the breast should be evaluated
Soreness, tenderness and their relation to menstrual cycle
Redness, swelling, nipple discharge
Change in contour, presence of masses
Is client breast-feeding? 21

22. Bleeding Heavy bleeding or lack of bleeding may concern the woman.
The possibility of pregnancy is considered in any sexually active woman with amenorrhea. Any postmenopausal bleeding needs to be evaluated.
The nurse asks when the bleeding occurs in relation to certain events, such as the menstrual cycle or menopause, intercourse, trauma. In additional, the nurse notes the presence of associated symptoms 22

23. Other Associated Symptoms
Ulcerations
Persistent lesions
Sense of pelvic relaxation (pelvic organs feel as though they are falling down or out)
Infertility
Pelvic infection 23

24. Assessment Techniques: Male
Examination of the external genitalia
Examination for inguinal hernia
Examination of the rectum and prostate

25. Papanicolaou Test Client preparation for pap test Procedure
Follow-up care

26. Blood Studies Pituitary gonadotropin Steroid hormones Serologic tests
Syphilis detection
Prostate-specific antigen

27. Other Studies Urinalysis for steroid hormones Wet preparation (smears)
Cultures
General x-rays
CT scans for reproductive system disorders
Hysterosalpingography: an x-ray of the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes
(Continued)
S&P

28. Other Studies (Continued)
Mammography
Ultrasonography
Magnetic resonance
imaging to scan for pelvic
tumors
Colposcopy

29. Other Studies (Continued)
Laparoscopy
Hysteroscopy

30. Other Studies (Continued)
Cervical biopsy
Endometrial biopsy and
Aspiration
Breast biopsy and aspiration
biopsy of breast fluid or tissue

31. Other Diagnostic Tests
Needle biopsy of the prostate
Semen analysis