Quizlet on Reproductive System Related

Review Quizlet on Reproductive System related questions and content

A patient in the sexually transmitted infection clinic has a positive Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test, but no chancre is visible on assessment. The nurse will plan to send specimens for

  • A. Gram stain.
  • B. cytologic studies.
  • C. rapid plasma reagin (RPR) agglutination.
  • D. fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FT-Abs)
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FT-Abs). This test is more specific and sensitive than VDRL or RPR. FT-Abs can detect antibodies to Treponema pallidum, providing confirmation of syphilis infection when VDRL is positive without visible chancres. Gram stain (A) is used for bacterial identification but not specific for syphilis. Cytologic studies (B) are not typically used for syphilis diagnosis. RPR (C) is another non-specific test like VDRL.