NURS 6501 Week 10: Concepts of Women’s and Men’s Health, Infections, and Hematologic Disorders
Sample Answer for NURS 6501 Week 10: Concepts of Women’s and Men’s Health, Infections, and Hematologic Disorders Included After Question
Literature, cinema, and other cultural references have long examined differences between women and men. These observations extend well beyond obvious and even inconspicuous traits to include cultural, behavioral, and biological differences that can impact pathophysiological process and, ultimately, health.
Understanding these differences in traits and their impact on pathophysiology can better equip acute care nurses to communicate to patients of both sexes. Furthermore, APRNs who are able to communicate these differences can better guide care to patients, whatever their gender.
This week, you examine fundamental concepts of women’s and men’s health disorders. You also explore common infections and hematologic disorders, and you apply the key terms and concepts that help communicate the pathophysiological nature of these issues to patients.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Analyze concepts and principles of pathophysiology across the life span
- Analyze processes related to women’s and men’s health, infections, and hematologic disorders
- Identify racial/ethnic variables that may impact physiological functioning
- Evaluate the impact of patient characteristics on disorders and altered physiology
Learning Resources
Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)
McCance, K. L. & Huether, S. E. (2019). Pathophysiology: The biologic basis for disease in adults and children (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby/Elsevier.
- Chapter 24: Structure and Function of the Reproductive Systems (stop at Tests of reproductive function); Summary Review
- Chapter 25: Alterations of the Female Reproductive System (stop at Organ prolapse); pp. 787–788 (start at Impaired fertility) (stop at Disorders of the female breast); Summary Review
- Chapter 26: Alterations of the Male Reproductive System (stop at Hormone levels); Summary Review
- Chapter 27: Sexually Transmitted Infections, including Summary Review
- Chapter 28: Structure and Function of the Hematological System (stop at Clinical evaluation of the hematological system); Summary Review
- Chapter 29: Alterations of Erythrocytes, Platelets, and Hemostatic Function, including Summary Review
- Chapter 30: Alterations of Leukocyte and Lymphoid Function, including Summary Review



Document: NURS 6501 Final Exam Review (PDF document)
Note: Use this document to help you as you review for your Final Exam in Week 11.
Required Media (click to expand/reduce)
Module 7 Overview with Dr. Tara Harris
Dr. Tara Harris reviews the structure of Module 7 as well as the expectations for the module. Consider how you will manage your time as you review your media and Learning Resources throughout the module to prepare for your Knowledge Check and your Assignment. (3m)
Note: The approximate length of the media program is 5 minutes.
Online Media from Pathophysiology: The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children
In addition to this week’s media, it is highly recommended that you access and view the resources included with the course text, Pathophysiology: The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children. Focus on the videos and animations in Chapters 24, 26, 28, and 30 that relate to the reproductive and hematological systems. Refer to the Learning Resources in Week 1 for registration instructions. If you have already registered, you may access the resources at https://evolve.elsevier.com/
A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NURS 6501 Week 10: Concepts of Women’s and Men’s Health, Infections, and Hematologic Disorders
Title: NURS 6501 Week 10: Concepts of Women’s and Men’s Health, Infections, and Hematologic Disorders
Case Study Analysis
Genitourinary disorders affect a significant proportion of the population, resulting in low quality of life and increased disease burden. Nurses and other healthcare providers adopt evidence-based interventions to promote optimum outcomes. Therefore, this paper examines a case study involving a 14-year-old female that is brought to the urgent care with complaints of bruises and gum bleeding. The purpose of this assignment is to examine topics that include factors affecting fertility, rise of inflammatory markers in STDs/PID, anemia and different types, and the need for splenectomy after ITP.
The Factors that Affect Fertility (STDs)
The assigned case study does not relate to sexually transmitted infections (STDs). STDs affect fertility. Untreated STDs ascend the reproductive tract to cause tubal damage, inflammation, and scarring, which cause infertility. STDs caused by pathogenic bacteria such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis cause morbidities such as pelvic inflammatory disease and tubal factor that are associated with infertility. In addition, pathogenesis such as Trichomonas vaginalis and Mycoplasma genitalium play a role in causing tubal damage and potentiating the likelihood of patients developing infertility(Smolarczyk et al., 2021). The interaction between these causes, patient factors, co-infections, and vaginal microbiome affects fertility.
Why Inflammatory Marker Rise in STD/PID
STD or pelvic inflammatory disease are associated with a significant rise in inflammatory markers. The rise in the inflammatory markers is attributable to the presence of bacteria and other organisms that cause these infections. The presence of these organisms stimulates the immune system to release inflammatory markers such as interleukins 1, 66, and 8 and cytokines(Mokotedi et al., 2019). The role of these inflammatory markers is to respond to the infection by attempting to eliminate the infectious agents from the body.
Why Prostatitis and Infection Happens
STDs can also cause prostatitis and other secondary infections. Patients affected by prostatitis experience symptoms such as difficult or painful urination because of inflamed prostate gland. Microorganisms such as bacteria associated with STDs and PID may access the prostate gland, resulting in their multiplication and inflammation of the gland. In addition, systemic reaction may arise from STDs and PID. The spread of the bacterial infection through blood and the lymphatic tissue my cause widespread systemic reaction in a patient. Besides, acute prostatitis due to bacterial infections may also contribute to systemic infections(Bielecki et al., 2020). Therefore, this explains the correlation between STDs, PID, prostatitis, and systemic reaction.
Why a Patient would Need a Splenectomy After a Diagnosis of ITP
Splenectomy is considered an effective treatment for patients diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). The spleen plays the crucial role of platelet clearance and production of autoantibodies. It also acts as the niche where immune cells promote antiplatelet antibody formation. The spleen also stores long-lived plasma cells that have anti-platelet antibody producing properties. These functions make the spleen the primary organ involved in ITP pathogenesis. Splenectomy, which entails the surgical removal of the spleen eliminates autoantibody production and platelet clearance site, which improves ITP symptoms. Splenectomy also reduces the risk of relapses of ITP and improved response to medical therapies adopted for ITP(Al-Samkari& Kuter, 2020; Mageau et al., 2022). Patients also benefit from the stabilization in the platelet count in most of the patients who undergo the treatment.
Anemia and Different Kinds of Anemia
Anemia is a condition characterized by the low hemoglobin level below the expected level for a patient’s age and gender. Anemia exists in different types. One of them is microcytic anemia. In microcytic anemia, the red blood cells are smaller than the normal red blood cells because of the inadequate hemoglobin. Normocytic anemia is the other type where there are inadequate red blood cells to meet the body’s needs. Macrocytic anemia is the other type anemia. Macrocytic anemia has features that include abnormally large red blood cells. It arises from defects in the ability of the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. The other sub-types of anemia include iron-deficiency, sideroblastic, thalassemia, and hemolytic anemias(Guo et al., 2019; Tvedten, 2022).
Conclusion
STDs cause infertility. Inflammatory markers rise in PID and STDs. Splenectomy is an effective treatment for ITP. Anemia exists in different types that affect the treatment approaches. ss
References
Al-Samkari, H., & Kuter, D. J. (2020). Immune Thrombocytopenia in Adults: Modern Approaches to Diagnosis and Treatment. Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis, 46(3), 275–288. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0039-1700512
Bielecki, R., Ostaszewska-Puchalska, I., Zdrodowska-Stefanow, B., Baltaziak, M., Skawrońska, M., &Sokołowska, M. (2020). The presence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in men with chronic prostatitis. Central European Journal of Urology, 73(3), 362–368. https://doi.org/10.5173/ceju.2020.0040
Guo, W., Zhou, Q., Jia, Y., & Xu, J. (2019). Increased Levels of Glycated Hemoglobin A1c and Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Review. Medical Science Monitor : International Medical Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research, 25, 8371–8378. https://doi.org/10.12659/MSM.916719
Mageau, A., Terriou, L., Ebbo, M., Souchaud-Debouverie, O., Orvain, C., Graveleau, J., Lega, J.-C., Ruivard, M., Viallard, J.-F., Cheze, S., Dossier, A., Bonnotte, B., Perlat, A., Gobert, D., Costedoat-Chalumeau, N., Jeandel, P.-Y., Dernoncourt, A., Michel, M., Godeau, B., &Comont, T. (2022). Splenectomy for primary immune thrombocytopenia revisited in the era of thrombopoietin receptor agonists: New insights for an old treatment. American Journal of Hematology, 97(1), 10–17. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajh.26378
Mokotedi, L., Millen, A. M. E., Mogane, C., Gomes, M., Woodiwiss, A. J., Norton, G. R., & Michel, F. S. (2019). Associations of inflammatory markers and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 with endothelial dysfunction in collagen-induced arthritis. European Journal of Pharmacology, 865, 172786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.172786
Smolarczyk, K., Mlynarczyk-Bonikowska, B., Rudnicka, E., Szukiewicz, D., Meczekalski, B., Smolarczyk, R., & Pieta, W. (2021). The Impact of Selected Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Diseases on Pregnancy and Female Fertility. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(4), Article 4. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22042170
Tvedten, H. (2022). Classification and Laboratory Evaluation of Anemia. In Schalm’s Veterinary Hematology (pp. 198–208). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119500537.ch25
A Sample Answer 2 For the Assignment: NURS 6501 Week 10: Concepts of Women’s and Men’s Health, Infections, and Hematologic Disorders
Title: NURS 6501 Week 10: Concepts of Women’s and Men’s Health, Infections, and Hematologic Disorders
Scenario 1: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
A 29-year-old female presents to the clinic with a complaint of hirsutism and irregular menses. She describes irregular and infrequent menses (five or six per year) since menarche at 11 years of age. She began to develop dark, coarse facial hair when she was 13 years of age, but her parents did not seek treatment or medical opinion at that time. The symptoms worsened after she gained weight in college. She got married 3 years ago and has been trying to get pregnant for the last 2 years without success. Height 66 inches and weight 198. BMI 32 kg.m2. Moderate hirsutism without virilization noted. Laboratory data reveal CMP within normal limits (WNL), CBC with manual differential (WNL), TSH 0.9 IU/L SI units (normal 0.4-4.0 IU/L SI units), a total testosterone of 65 ng/dl (normal 2.4-47 ng/dl), and glycated hemoglobin level of 6.1% (normal value ≤5.6%). Based on this information, the APRN diagnoses the patient with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and refers her to the Women’s Health APRN for further workup and management.
Question
How does PCOS affect a woman’s fertility or infertility?
Your Answer:
PCOS can significantly impact a woman’s fertility and lead to infertility. The hormonal imbalances and other physiological changes associated with PCOS can interfere with the normal menstrual cycle and ovulation, making it challenging for women with PCOS to conceive. Here’s how PCOS affects fertility:
- Anovulation: One of the hallmark features of PCOS is irregular or absent ovulation. In a normal menstrual cycle, an egg is released from the ovaries during ovulation, which is essential for conception. However, in PCOS, the hormonal imbalance prevents regular ovulation, leading to anovulation (lack of ovulation). This irregularity in the menstrual cycle makes it difficult for a woman to predict the fertile window and time intercourse appropriately.
- Ovarian Cysts: Although the term “polycystic” suggests the presence of cysts, they are not true cysts but small, immature follicles in the ovaries that fail to mature and release an egg. These multiple small follicles can lead to enlarged ovaries, further hindering ovulation.
- Hormonal Imbalance: Elevated levels of androgens (male hormones) such as testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) are common in PCOS. This hormonal imbalance disrupts the normal hormonal signals required for the development and release of eggs, leading to irregular or absent ovulation.
- Endometrial Changes: Prolonged periods of anovulation in PCOS can lead to irregular shedding of the uterine lining (endometrium) during menstruation. This irregular shedding can affect the implantation of a fertilized egg, reducing the chances of successful pregnancy.
- Insulin Resistance: Insulin resistance, often seen in PCOS, can also contribute to infertility. High insulin levels can stimulate the ovaries to produce more androgens, further disrupting ovulation. Additionally, insulin resistance is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage.
- Obesity: Many women with PCOS are overweight or obese, and excess body weight can exacerbate hormonal imbalances and insulin resistance. Obesity is known to adversely affect fertility and increase the risk of complications during pregnancy.
Overall, PCOS can lead to subfertility or infertility due to irregular or absent ovulation, disrupted hormonal balance, and changes in the endometrium. However, it is essential to note that not all women with PCOS will experience infertility, and with proper management and medical intervention, many women with PCOS can achieve successful pregnancies. Treatment options may include lifestyle changes, weight management, ovulation-inducing medications, and fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) if necessary.