Medical-surgical

Chronic pelvic pain affects millions of patients worldwide, yet it remains one of the most underdiagnosed and undertreated conditions encountered in clinical practice. For the registered nurse, understanding the complexity of chronic pelvic pain nursing — from pathophysiology to multidisciplinary management — is essential for both the NCLEX exam and real-world patient care. This condition … Read more

Body image changes after mastectomy represent one of the most psychologically complex challenges a nurse will encounter in oncology and medical-surgical settings. For patients undergoing mastectomy — the surgical removal of one or both breasts — the physical alteration is immediate, but the emotional and psychological adjustment unfolds over weeks, months, and sometimes years. Understanding … Read more

Body image, intimacy, and sexual function are profoundly affected when a patient undergoes ostomy surgery — yet these concerns are among the most underaddressed in clinical nursing practice. Ostomy sexual health nursing sits at the intersection of wound care, psychosocial support, and patient education, making it highly relevant for both bedside practice and NCLEX preparation. … Read more

Chronic pain affects more than 50 million adults in the United States, and its reach extends far beyond physical discomfort. One of the most underaddressed consequences of chronic pain disorders is their profound impact on sexual health — a dimension of well-being that nursing students and practicing registered nurses must be prepared to assess and … Read more

Parkinson’s disease touches every dimension of a patient’s life — and intimacy is no exception. For the registered nurse caring for individuals with this progressive neurological disorder, understanding how the disease disrupts physical and emotional closeness is essential to delivering truly holistic care. Parkinson’s disease intimacy challenges are frequently underaddressed in clinical settings, yet they … Read more

Stroke is one of the most life-altering neurological events a patient can experience, affecting motor function, cognition, speech, and emotional regulation. Yet one dimension of recovery is consistently overlooked in clinical practice: sexual health. Registered nurses and nursing students preparing for the NCLEX must understand that sexuality is a core component of human wellbeing — … Read more

Sexual dysfunction is a frequently overlooked yet clinically significant complication of diabetes mellitus — one that affects both male and female patients and substantially diminishes quality of life. For the registered nurse, recognizing, assessing, and addressing sexual dysfunction in the context of diabetes is not only a component of holistic care but also a high-yield … Read more

Sexual health is a dimension of patient well-being that nursing practice cannot afford to overlook — especially in patients living with heart failure (HF). Yet it remains one of the most under-addressed topics in cardiovascular nursing. Fear of triggering a cardiac event, combined with discomfort on the part of both patient and nurse, leads to … Read more

Sexual function after myocardial infarction is one of the most consistently overlooked areas of cardiac rehabilitation — and one of the most anxiety-provoking for patients. Despite its clear relevance to quality of life, the majority of patients discharged after an MI report that no nurse or physician addressed this topic before they left the hospital. … Read more

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains one of the most clinically complex conditions a registered nurse will encounter across inpatient, outpatient, and community settings. Understanding HIV pathophysiology — how the virus invades, replicates, and dismantles the immune system — is foundational for both real-world nursing practice and NCLEX success. Equally critical is recognizing how HIV intersects … Read more