Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

What is a critical aspect of managing and educating clients with HPV infection?

1. Assuring clients regarding the effectiveness of over-the-counter treatments.

2. Clarifying that HPV is a reportable disease.

3. Emphasizing the need for eliminating associated warts for prevention.

4. Informing clients that HPV is only a concern for women.

The correct answer is: Emphasizing the need for eliminating associated warts for prevention.

Emphasizing the need for eliminating associated warts is critical in managing and educating clients with HPV infection because wart removal can alleviate discomfort, reduce stigma, and minimize transmission risk. Managing the visible manifestations of HPV, such as genital warts, is especially important for clients' psychological well-being and can encourage adherence to treatment and follow-up care. Additionally, effective education about the transmission of HPV and the significance of preventing complications can further promote an understanding of the importance of treatment. While addressing over-the-counter treatments might seem relevant, this can often lead to misconceptions about the adequacy and effectiveness of self-care versus professional medical interventions. Clarifying that HPV is a reportable disease is not necessarily a focal point in patient education as it relates more to public health surveillance rather than individual management. Lastly, informing clients that HPV is only a concern for women neglects the fact that HPV affects all genders, creating a misleading narrative that can hinder awareness and prevention in men. Thus, focusing on the removal of associated warts encompasses both immediate health concerns and broader implications for mental and social health related to the infection.