Final answer:
A wet prep for a 21-year-old female with a foul-smelling vaginal discharge can show a white to yellow discharge, a fishy odor after the addition of KOH, a pH greater than 4.5, and the presence of clue cells, which indicate bacterial vaginosis if present.
Step-by-step explanation:
A wet prep examination of vaginal discharge can reveal various diagnostic signs that help in identifying the cause of vaginitis. In a case of a 21-year-old female presenting with abnormal discharge and a foul odor, the following can be observed on a wet prep:
- A white to yellow discharge
- A fishy odor, which becomes more noticeable when 10% KOH is added; this is a characteristic test called the amines or "whiff" test
- A pH greater than 4.5, which indicates an alkaline environment often associated with bacterial overgrowth, such as that seen in bacterial vaginosis
- The presence of clue cells; these are vaginal epithelial cells that have a stippled appearance due to being covered with bacteria
In Clinical Focus Part 3, it is mentioned that an overgrowth of yeast cells was observed on a wet-mount slide, indicating candidiasis (a yeast infection). However, the absence of clues would make bacterial vaginosis less likely as a diagnosis.
Treatment for vaginitis depends on the underlying cause and may involve oral or topical anti-fungal or antibiotic medications.