1. The client/caregiver can define bacterial vaginosis.
    1. It is a condition in women where the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina is disrupted and certain bacteria produce an overgrowth.
    2. It is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age.
    3. Symptoms can be
      • Abnormal vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor
      • Odor that can have strong fish-like odor, especially after intercourse
      • Discharge that is usually thin, white, or gray
      • Complaints of burning during urination
      • Burning around outside of vagina
  2. The client/caregiver can define behaviors that increase risk for this disease.
    1. Having a new sex partner or multiple sex partners
    2. Douching
    3. The use of an intrauterine device for contraception
  3. The client/caregiver can list possible complications.
    1. Increased susceptibility to HIV infection if exposed
    2. Increases chance of HIV-infected woman passing HIV to sex partner
    3. Increases the risk of the development of pelvic inflammatory disease, which can cause infertility or increase risk of ectopic pregnancy.
    4. If pregnant, an increased risk for complications of pregnancy, such as premature delivery or low birth weight of newborn.
    5. Increased susceptibility to other sexually transmitted diseases
  4. Treatment with antibiotic therapy is recommended.
    1. Treatment with antibiotic therapy is recommended.
    2. Prevention measures
      1. Be abstinent.
      2. Limit number of sex partners.
      3. Do not douche.
      4. Use all medicine prescribed for treatment.

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).

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

Hillier, S., & Holmes, K. (1999). Bacterial vaginosis. In: K. Holmes, P. Sparling, P. Mardh, et al. (Eds.). Sexually transmitted diseases (3rd ed., pp. 563–586). New York:McGraw-Hill.

Hitchcock, J. E., Schubert, P. E., & Thomas, S. A. (2003). Community health nursing: Caring in action. Clifton Park, NY:Thomson Delmar Learning.

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

Get Professional Care from the Hands of Clinicians

With the expertise and experience our professionals have, trust that we can address each of your concerns in the best way possible.

Set an Appointment