Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between drug use and the risk of transmitting STDs?

1. All STDs can be easily prevented with consistent condom use.

2. Once a young woman is pregnant, she is no longer at risk for STDs.

3. STDs are most likely to be transmitted during a student's initial sexual encounter.

4. Use of alcohol and drugs increases the likelihood of risky sexual behaviors.

The correct answer is: Use of alcohol and drugs increases the likelihood of risky sexual behaviors.

The correct statement emphasizes the connection between substance use and an increased risk for engaging in unsafe sexual practices. Alcohol and drugs can impair judgment and lower inhibitions, leading individuals to participate in behaviors they might not otherwise consider, such as neglecting to use condoms, having multiple partners, or choosing to engage in sex with someone whose STD status is unknown. This increase in risky behaviors is a crucial factor in the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), making it vital to address substance use in public health strategies aimed at reducing STD transmission rates. In contrast, the other statements do not accurately represent the complexities of STD prevention and transmission. The claim that all STDs can be prevented with consistent condom use oversimplifies the issue, as certain STDs can be transmitted even with condom use due to factors like improper use or breakage. The notion that a young woman is no longer at risk for STDs once she becomes pregnant is misleading; pregnancy does not provide immunity or protection from STDs. Finally, stating that STDs are most likely to be transmitted during a student's initial sexual encounter does not take into account that risk is influenced by many other factors, including ongoing sexual behavior and the presence of other partners. Hence, understanding how substances like alcohol and drugs contribute