The nurse is caring for a client who has prostate cancer. Which of the following manifestations does the nurse attribute to the advancing disease process?

Choice A reason:
Herpes zoster lesions are indeed contagious if they are draining. The virus can spread through direct contact with the fluid from the blisters. It is crucial to cover the lesions to prevent spreading the virus to others, especially to those who have never had chickenpox or the vaccine.

Choice B reason:
The development of vesicles, which are small fluid-filled blisters, is a hallmark of herpes zoster. These vesicles typically appear in a band-like pattern on one side of the body and are often accompanied by pain, itching, or tingling before they are visible.

Choice C reason:
Postherpetic neuralgia is a condition where the pain persists in the area of the herpes zoster rash even after the lesions have healed. This can last for weeks, months, or even years and is more common in older adults.

Choice D reason:
Herpes zoster itself is not spread like chickenpox. It occurs when the varicella-zoster virus, which has been lying dormant in the nerve cells, reactivates. While it is possible for someone who has never had chickenpox to develop chickenpox after direct contact with a shingles rash, herpes zoster is not "easily spread" to others in the same way that chickenpox is.

Choice A reason:

The statement "This procedure is routinely performed during a Pap test" is incorrect. A colposcopy is not routinely performed during a Pap test; it is a separate procedure that is often recommended if a Pap test shows abnormal results. The colposcopy allows for a closer examination of the cervix, vagina, and vulva to detect any signs of disease.

Choice B reason:

The statement "During the procedure, a biopsy may be performed" is correct. If the healthcare provider sees an area of concern during the colposcopy, they may take a small sample of tissue (biopsy) from the cervix or from inside the opening of the cervix.

Choice C reason:

The statement "Do not eat or drink after midnight tonight" is not necessary for a colposcopy. Unlike some surgical procedures that require general anesthesia, a colposcopy is usually done with local anesthesia, and fasting is not required.

Choice D reason:

The statement "You will have general anesthesia during this procedure" is incorrect. General anesthesia is not typically used for a colposcopy. The procedure may cause some discomfort, but it is usually performed using local anesthesia or no anesthesia at all.