In some Middle Eastern and African cultures, female genital mutilation is a prerequisite for marriage

Question

Women who now live in North America need care from nurses who are knowledgeable about the procedure and comfortable with the abnormal appearance of her genitalia. When caring for this woman, the nurse can formulate a diagnosis with the un-derstanding that the woman may be at risk for which of the following? Select all that ap-ply. a. Obstructed labor
b. Increased signs of pain response
c. Laceration
d. Hemorrhage
e. Infection

Answer 1

A, C, D, E
Correct: A, C, D, E. The client is at risk for all of these complications. Female genital muti-lation, cutting, or circumcision involves removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. The labia majora are often stitched together over the vaginal and urethral opening as part of this practice. Enlargement of the vaginal opening may be performed before or during the birth.
Incorrect: B. The woman is unlikely to give any verbal or nonverbal signs of pain. This lack of response does not indicate lack of pain. In fact, pelvic examinations are likely to be very painful because the introitus is so small, and inelastic scar tissue makes the area especially sensitive. A pediatric speculum may be necessary and the client should be made as comfort-able as possible.