This STI chlamydia quiz is designed to help nursing students and healthcare learners strengthen their understanding of Chlamydia trachomatis, one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Covering essential topics such as transmission, clinical signs, complications, CDC screening guidelines, and appropriate antibiotic treatment, this quiz supports NCLEX-style learning and real-world application. Each question includes clear rationales to reinforce accurate, evidence-based knowledge and improve clinical decision-making.
Check out more sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) topics and the chlamydia nursing notes for this material.
Chlamydia STI Nursing NCLEX Quiz Questions
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STIs Nursing Quiz: Chlamydia Symptoms, Treatment NCLEX
- Chlamydia trachomatis is classifed as what type of bacterium?
A. Gram‑positive coccus
B. Gram‑positive bacterium
C. Gram‑negative bacterium
D. Acid‑fast bacillus
The answer is C: Gram‑negative bacterium. Chlamydia trachomatis is classified as Gram‑negative because it possesses the characteristic thin peptidoglycan layer and outer membrane with lipopolysaccharide found in Gram‑negative bacteria.
- A male patient presents with untreated chlamydia. How would the patient MOST likely present with a case of epididymitis?
A. Painful ejaculation
B. Erythematous and edematous scrotum
C. Penile ulcers with discharge
D. Impotence
The answer is B. Epididymitis, often caused by Chlamydia trachomatis typically presents with localized scrotal pain, swelling, and redness due to inflammation of the epididymis. This manifests clinically as an erythematous (red) and edematous (swollen) scrotum, often on one side. While painful ejaculation (A) can sometimes occur, it is not as specific or common as scrotal swelling in epididymitis. C, penile ulcers with discharge, suggest other infections like herpes or chancroid, not chlamydia. D, impotence, is not a typical symptom of chlamydial epididymitis.
- A patient asks why chalmydia is often called a “silent” infection. Which statement by the nurse is correct?
A. “The infection can remain dormant for decades.”
B. “Many infected patients are asymptomatic.”
C. “Testing results often come back as false negatives.”
D. “Symptoms don’t appear until 6 months after infection.”
The answer is B: Chlamydia is often referred to as a “silent” infection because most individuals (especially women) do not experience noticeable symptoms despite being infected. This asymptomatic nature allows the infection to persist and spread unknowingly, increasing the risk of complications like pelvic inflammatory disease or infertility if left untreated. Option A is incorrect because chlamydia does not remain dormant for decades like some viruses (like HIV). C is inaccurate because testing is highly sensitive and specific. D is also false because if symptoms do occur, they typically present within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure, not months later.
- A pregnant patient, with no known drug allergies, has tested positive for chlamydia. What medication does the nurse anticipate the patient will be MOST likely prescribed?
A. Doxycycline
B. Amoxicillin
C. Gentamicin
D. Azithromycin
The answer is D. The nurse should anticipate that azithromycin will be prescribed for a pregnant patient with chlamydia, as it is the recommended first-line treatment due to its proven safety and effectiveness in pregnancy. Azithromycin is typically given as a single oral dose and is well tolerated. Doxycycline is contraindicated in pregnancy because it can affect fetal bone growth and cause permanent tooth discoloration. Amoxicillin is considered a second-line option and may be used if azithromycin is not tolerated, but it is not the first choice. Gentamicin is not used to treat chlamydia and poses potential risks during pregnancy.
- After receiving antibiotic treatment for uncomplicated chlamydia infection, the nurse will educate the patient to abstain from sexual activity for how long?
A. 24 hours
B. 5 days
C. 7 days
D. 1 month
The answer is C. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise patients to avoid sexual intercourse for 7 full days after a single‑dose azithromycin regimen or until the very last pill of a 7‑day doxycycline course is taken. In practice, this means a minimum of seven consecutive days without sex for either regimen, plus waiting until any symptoms have resolved and recent partners have been treated. Observing this window prevents ongoing transmission and reinfection while the organism is still being cleared.
- Select all the statements that accurately reflect the current CDC guidelines for screening patients for chlamydia?
A. “Only high risk sexually active patients should be screened.”
B. “All sexually active women 25 or older and high risk should be screened annually.”
C. “All sexually active women 25 or under should be screened yearly.”
D. “All pregnant women should be screened at first prenatal visit.”
E. “Pregnant women 25 or under and high risk should be screened at first prenatal visit and rescreened in 3rd trimester.”
The answers are C and E. According to current CDC guidelines, all sexually active women under age 25 should be screened for chlamydia annually due to higher prevalence in this age group (option C). Women aged 25 and older should be screened only if they are at increased risk, such as having new or multiple partners (option B). For pregnant patients, those under 25 or with risk factors should be screened at the first prenatal visit and rescreened during the third trimester to prevent complications such as neonatal conjunctivitis or pneumonia (option E). Option A is incorrect because routine screening is recommended for all sexually active women under 25, regardless of individual risk. D is too broad; screening all pregnant women regardless of age or risk status is not recommended (only those under 25 or with risk factors should be screened).
- How will the nurse collect a specimen on a male patient who needs to be tested for chalmydia? Select all that apply:
A. Urethral swab
B. Semen sample
C. Stool sample
D. Urine sample
The answers are A and D. The recommended specimens for chlamydia testing in male patients are a first-catch urine sample or a urethral swab, both of which are used in nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs). This is the most sensitive and specific method for detecting Chlamydia trachomatis. A first-catch urine sample is typically preferred for asymptomatic males due to ease and comfort. A urethral swab may be used, particularly in symptomatic cases or when urine cannot be obtained. B (semen sample) and C (stool sample) are incorrect because neither are appropriate for chlamydia testing, as the organism is not reliably detected in those fluids. Stool samples are typically used for gastrointestinal pathogens, and semen is not a validated sample type for chlamydia NAAT.
- What newborn complications can occur if chlamydia is transmitted during delivery? Select all that apply:
A. Hearing loss
B. Vision loss
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Pneumonia
The answers are B and D. If Chlamydia trachomatis is transmitted from mother to baby during vaginal delivery, it can cause neonatal conjunctivitis (eye infection) and pneumonia. Conjunctivitis, if left untreated, may lead to vision loss due to corneal scarring or damage. Option A (hearing loss) is not a known complication of chlamydia in newborns. This is more commonly associated with congenital infections like CMV or rubella. Option C (hyperglycemia) is unrelated to chlamydia and is not a typical neonatal complication of this infection.
- Which teach point will the nurse PRIORITIZE regarding sexual partners of patient who just received positive test results for chlamydia?
A. “Partners only need to wear a condom during intercourse while you are taking the treatment.”
B. “Partners need to immediately be tested and treated.”
C. “Partners should be immediately tested if they have symptoms.”
D. “Avoid sexual activity when symptoms are present.”
The answer is B: The priority teaching point for a patient with chlamydia is that all recent sexual partners should be tested and treated as soon as possible, regardless of whether they have symptoms. This prevents reinfection and further spread of the disease. Most people with chlamydia are asymptomatic, so waiting for symptoms (option C) puts others at risk. Option A is incorrect because condom use during treatment does not prevent reinfection if a partner is already infected. Option D is misleading, as chlamydia can be transmitted even in the absence of symptoms. Prompt testing and treatment of partners is critical for effective infection control.
- What antibiotic is first-line therapy treatment for uncomplicated chlamydia infection in a non-pregnant adult patient?
A. Azithromycin
B. Metronidazole
C. Penicillin G
D. Doxycycline
The answer is D: The first-line treatment for uncomplicated Chlamydia trachomatis infection in a non-pregnant adult is doxycycline. While azithromycin was previously widely used as a single-dose option, it is now considered a second-line choice in non-pregnant individuals due to increasing concerns about lower effectiveness in certain cases. Metronidazole is not effective against chlamydia and is primarily used to treat bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis. Penicillin G, on the other hand, is the treatment of choice for syphilis (not chlamydia).
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