After teaching a group of adolescent girls about female reproductive development, the nurse determines that teaching was successful when the girls state that menarche is defined as a woman's first:

Choice A: Reports of itching, tingling and pain in 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: Growth spurt is not the correct answer because it is not the first event that occurs in female puberty. The growth spurt is a period of rapid increase in height and weight that usually occurs between 10 and 14 years of age in girls. It is influenced by various factors such as genetics, nutrition, and hormones. Growth spurt usually follows the development of breast buds and pubic hair by about 6 to 12 months.

Choice B: Evidence of pubic hair is not the correct answer because it is not the first event that occurs in female puberty. Evidence of pubic hair is the appearance of coarse, curly, and pigmented hair on the pubic area and around the genitals. It usually occurs between 8 and 13 years of age in girls. It is caused by the increased production of androgens (male hormones) by the adrenal glands and ovaries. Evidence of pubic hair usually follows the development of breast buds by about 3 to 6 months.

Choice C: Onset of menses is not the correct answer because it is not the first event that occurs in female puberty. The onset of menses is the beginning of menstrual cycles, which are regular changes in the female reproductive system that prepare the body for pregnancy. It usually occurs between 10 and 15 years of age in girls. It is caused by the maturation of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, ovaries, and uterus, which regulate the levels of estrogen and progesterone (female hormones). The onset of menses usually follows the development of breast buds and pubic hair by about 2 to 3 years.

Choice D: Development of breast buds is the correct answer because it is the first event that occurs in female puberty. Development of breast buds is the enlargement and elevation of the nipples and areolas (dark circles around the nipples), which indicate the beginning of breast growth. It usually occurs between 8 and 12 years of age in girls. It is caused by the increased production of estrogen (female hormone) by the ovaries, which stimulates the growth of ducts (tubes) and lobules (glands) in the breast tissue. The development of breast buds is also called thelarche or breast stage 2.