(^514) Medical-Surgical Nursing Demystified
- Check vital signs, temperature.
- Administer pain medication.
- Emotional reassurance.
- Explain to the patient:
- Benefit of early ambulation.
- Use of pain medication.
- Treatments promoted by the oncologist.
Ovarian Masses, Benign
The most common ovarian cysts are follicular.
WHAT WENT WRONG?
The egg is enclosed in a follicle as it waits to be expelled monthly from the ovary.
When the follicle does not open to allow the egg out or the follicle is not reab-
sorbed, a benign cyst, a fluid-filled sac, may result.
PROGNOSIS
Most cysts resolve in several months. However, a small percentage of patients
experience discomfort or pain when the cyst does not resolve.
HALLMARK SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Asymptomatic
- Changes in menstruation
- Unilateral pelvic pain (usually one ovary is involved)
- Sharp pelvic pain, which indicates rupture
INTERPRETING TEST RESULTS
- Pregnancy test.
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