Question

The nurse practitioner recognizes that the most common cause of epididymitis in a young man is:

A chlamydia
B E. coli
C mycoplasma
D Proteus species

Answer 1

The most common cause of epididymitis in a young man is Chlamydia trachomatis, which necessitates timely treatment with antibiotics to prevent complications including infertility.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most common cause of epididymitis in a young man is Chlamydia trachomatis, which is the causative agent of the sexually transmitted infection (STI) chlamydia. This infection can lead to several complications in the male reproductive system, including urethritis, and, importantly, epididymitis which causes inflammation of the epididymis. Recognizing and treating this infection with the appropriate antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs is crucial to prevent the spread of the infection and protect against long-term issues such as infertility.

Gonorrhea, caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is another common sexually transmitted disease that can result in epididymitis. The conditions caused by these bacteria typically require a timely intervention with antibiotics to evade more severe consequences. Treatment should be initiated regardless of the severity of symptoms due to the risks associated with untreated acute and chronic epididymitis, which include abscess formation, spreading of the infection, and potential infertility.