Final answer:
The nurse's priority action is to assist in obtaining vaginal swabs to diagnose potential STIs. Diagnosis enables treatment and prevention of further spread. Other actions like education on prevention and partner notification follow after a confirmed diagnosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The priority action for a nurse to take would be d. Assist in obtaining vaginal swabs for chlamydia and gonorrhea. This is because, diagnosing and treating any potential sexually transmitted infections (STIs) early can prevent complications and the further spread of infection. While discussing hygiene and condom use are important preventive measures and obtaining a list of sexual partners is relevant for contact tracing, the immediate priority is to confirm the diagnosis through testing. Once an STI is diagnosed, patient counseling regarding partner notification and safe sexual practices becomes crucial.
It's important to treat STIs even if they are asymptomatic because they can lead to serious health conditions if left unchecked, and individuals can unknowingly transmit these infections to others. Vaccinations play an integral role in preventing certain STIs, such as HPV, and there are various ways to prevent transmission of STIs, like using condoms and practicing safe sex when vaccines are not available.
From an ethical standpoint, both the patient's privacy and the partner's right to know about potential risks must be balanced, with considerations varying based on the severity of the disease. However, without patient consent, contacting a sexual partner may be a violation of privacy laws like HIPAA, unless public health exceptions apply.