CEA Nursing Practice Exam

In a sexually active 19-year-old female with inguinal pain, what is the most likely diagnosis?

1. Molar pregnancy

2. Pelvic inflammatory disease

3. Ectopic pregnancy

4. Normal pregnancy

The correct answer is: Pelvic inflammatory disease

Inguinal pain in a sexually active 19-year-old female is often indicative of conditions related to the reproductive system. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is the most likely diagnosis in this scenario due to several key factors. PID is an infection of the female reproductive organs, often resulting from sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia or gonorrhea. Symptoms can include pelvic pain, abdominal discomfort, fever, and sometimes pain that radiates to the inguinal region due to the anatomical proximity of the reproductive organs to the pelvic cavity. Given the patient's age and history of sexual activity, PID becomes a strong consideration. While ectopic pregnancy may present with similar symptoms, including unilateral abdominal or pelvic pain and possibly referred pain to the inguinal area, it usually accompanies other signs like vaginal bleeding or irregular menstrual patterns. Molar pregnancy and normal pregnancy are less likely candidates in the context of acute inguinal pain, as they typically don't present with symptoms specifically localized to the inguinal region in such a direct manner. Therefore, among the possibilities, PID stands out as the most plausible diagnosis due to its prevalence in sexually active young women and the characteristic symptoms it presents.