The nurse who provides holistic care includes sexuality in the plan of care. What patient will need further assessment to determine whether sexual activity will be safe?

Question

A) The patient with benign prostatic hypertrophy
B) The patient with cardiovascular disease
C) The patient who is post-menopausal with vaginal dryness
D) The patient taking antiviral medications to treat HIV.

Answer 1

B
Feedback:
The stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system that occurs with sexual response could be dangerous in some cardiovascular conditions if they are exacerbated by sympathetic effects, so the patient with cardiovascular disease would require further assessment. Many patients with cardiovascular disease maintain a satisfactory sex life, but each requires careful assessment to determine who might be at risk. The patient with benign prostatic hypertrophy can safely participate in sex if he is capable of obtaining an erection. The post-menopausal woman can use lubricants to reduce dryness and make sexual activity more comfortable. The patient with HIV can have sex safely but will require teaching on actions to take to protect the sex partner from contracting the disease.