Back
ditki Logo
medical & biological sciences
All Access Pass - 1 FREE Month!
Institutional email required, no credit card necessary.

Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis for NP

Free One-Month! Institutional (.edu or .org) email required
Log in or start your One-Week Free Trial!
Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis for the Nurse Practitioner Licensing Exam
Chlamydia
  • Etiology:
    • Caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, an intracellular bacterium with serotypes D–K responsible for urogenital infections.
  • Epidemiology:
    • The most common bacterial STI in the U.S., especially affecting people aged 15–24 years.
  • Clinical Presentation:
    • Men: Often asymptomatic; symptomatic cases present with urethritis, dysuria, and clear or mucoid discharge.
    • Women: Often asymptomatic; symptomatic cases may present with cervicitis, urethritis, or PID, leading to chronic pain, infertility, or ectopic pregnancy.
  • Diagnosis:
    • NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Test): Preferred diagnostic test, performed on urine or swabs.
  • Treatment:
    • Doxycycline 100 mg PO twice daily for 7 days or Azithromycin 1 g PO single dose.
    • Partner treatment is essential to prevent reinfection.
Gonorrhea
  • Etiology:
    • Caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a gram-negative diplococcus.
  • Clinical Presentation:
    • Men: Urethritis with purulent discharge, dysuria; can progress to epididymitis.
    • Women: Often asymptomatic; symptomatic cases may present with cervicitis or PID.
    • Extragenital Sites: Pharyngeal and rectal infections; neonatal conjunctivitis in infants.
  • Diagnosis:
    • NAAT: Recommended for genital and extragenital sites.
    • Gram Stain: Useful in symptomatic men, showing gram-negative diplococci.
  • Treatment:
    • Ceftriaxone 500 mg IM single dose; add doxycycline for chlamydia co-infection.
    • Partner treatment is required to prevent reinfection.
Syphilis
  • Etiology:
    • Caused by Treponema pallidum, a spirochete.
  • Clinical Stages:
    • Primary: Painless chancre at infection site.
    • Secondary: Systemic symptoms, maculopapular rash, condylomata lata.
    • Latent: Asymptomatic phase.
    • Tertiary: Cardiovascular, neurologic symptoms, and gummas.
Syphilis
  • Diagnosis:
    • Nontreponemal Tests (RPR, VDRL) for screening.
    • Treponemal Tests (FTA-ABS, TPPA) for confirmation.
  • Treatment:
    • Primary, Secondary, Early Latent: Benzathine penicillin G 2.4 million units IM single dose.
    • Neurosyphilis: Penicillin G IV for 10–14 days.
Key Points
Chlamydia: Caused by Chlamydia trachomatis*, often asymptomatic, diagnosed by NAAT, treated with doxycycline or azithromycin; partner treatment is critical. Gonorrhea: Caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae*, often asymptomatic in women, diagnosed by NAAT, treated with ceftriaxone (add doxycycline for chlamydia); partner treatment required. Syphilis: Caused by Treponema pallidum*, presenting in stages (primary, secondary, latent, tertiary); diagnosed by serologic tests and treated with penicillin.

Related Tutorials