Lewis's Medical Surgical Nursing in Canada, 5th Edition - Nursing Management: Female Reproductive Conditions Related

Review Lewis's Medical Surgical Nursing in Canada, 5th Edition - Nursing Management: Female Reproductive Conditions related questions and content

A patient who is 45 years of age tells the nurse that she has not had a menstrual period for 3 months and asks whether she is going into menopause. Which of the following responses is best by the nurse?

  • A. Have you thought about using hormone therapy?
  • B. Most women feel a little depressed about entering menopause
  • C. What was your menstrual pattern before your periods stopped?
  • D. Since you are in your mid-40s, it is likely that you are menopausal.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The initial response by the nurse should be to assess the patient's baseline menstrual pattern. Although many women do enter menopause in the mid-40s, more information about this patient is needed before telling her that it is likely she is menopausal. Although hormone therapy (HT) may be prescribed, further assessment of the patient is needed before discussing therapies for menopause. Because the response to menopause is very individual, the nurse should not assume that the patient is experiencing any adverse emotional reactions.