A patient with a yeast infection asks the nurse how they diagnose this infection. The nurse will base her response knowing this is primarily diagnosed by

Question

A)
the look and smell of the secretions.
B)
looking at the spores on a wet-mount slide using 20% potassium hydroxide.
C)
looking for Lactobacillus species under the microscope.
D)
sending a blood test to lab for DNA testing on the specimen.

Answer 1

Ans:
B

Feedback:

Accurate diagnosis is made by identification of budding yeast filaments or spores on a wet-mount slide using 20% potassium hydroxide. When the wet-mount technique is negative but the clinical manifestations are suggestive of candidiasis, a culture may be necessary. Definite diagnosis consists of more than a visual look at the secretions. Diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis is made by looking at the number of Lactobacillus species under the microscope. DNA testing may be required when dealing with HSV infection.