A woman with breast cancer is undergoing chemotherapy. Which side effect would the nurse interpret as being most serious?

Choice A: Reports of itching, tingling, and pain in the genital area are the correct answer because they are common symptoms of genital herpes. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It can cause outbreaks of painful blisters or sores on or around the genitals, anus, or mouth. The blisters or sores usually heal within a few weeks, but the virus remains in the body and can reactivate at any time. Before an outbreak, some people may experience prodromal symptoms such as itching, tingling, or pain in the affected area.

Choice B: Painful urination with a penile discharge present is not the correct answer because it is more likely a symptom of another STI, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. Gonorrhea and chlamydia are bacterial infections that can affect the urethra, cervix, rectum, or throat. They can cause symptoms such as burning or pain during urination, abnormal discharge from the penis or vagina, or bleeding between periods.

Choice C: Wart-like flesh-colored lesions on the scrotal area are not the correct answer because they are more likely a symptom of another STI, such as human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a viral infection that can cause genital warts or cervical cancer. Genital warts are small, soft, flesh-colored growths that can appear on or around the genitals, anus, or mouth. They may be flat, raised, or cauliflower-shaped.

Choice D: A chancre on the penis is not the correct answer because it is more likely a symptom of another STI, such as syphilis. Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can affect various organs and systems of the body. It has four stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. In the primary stage, syphilis causes a painless sore called a chancre that can appear on or around the genitals, anus, or mouth. The chancre usually heals within a few weeks, but the infection can progress to the next stages if left untreated.

Choice A: Rectal incontinence is not the correct answer because it is not a disorder related to pelvic organ prolapse. Rectal incontinence is a condition that causes loss of control over bowel movements, resulting in leakage of stool or gas. It can be caused by various factors, such as nerve damage, muscle weakness, or diarrhea.

Choice B: Rectocele is the correct answer because it is a disorder related to pelvic organ prolapse. Rectocele is a condition that occurs when the rectum bulges into the vagina due to weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and connective tissue. It can cause symptoms such as constipation, difficulty emptying the bowel, or a feeling of pressure or fullness in the vagina.

Choice C: Urinary incontinence is the correct answer because it is a disorder related to pelvic organ prolapse. Urinary incontinence is a condition that causes loss of control over urination, resulting in leakage of urine or urgency to urinate. It can be caused by various factors, such as stress, urge, overflow, or mixed types of incontinence.

Choice D: Cystocele is the correct answer because it is a disorder related to pelvic organ prolapse. Cystocele is a condition that occurs when the bladder bulges into the vagina due to weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and connective tissue. It can cause symptoms such as frequent urination, difficulty emptying the bladder, or a feeling of pressure or fullness in the vagina.

Choice E: Enterocele is the correct answer because it is a disorder related to pelvic organ prolapse. Enterocele is a condition that occurs when the small intestine bulges into the vagina due to weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and connective tissue. It can cause symptoms such as lower back pain, pelvic pressure, or difficulty having bowel movements.