CEA Nursing Practice Exam

In diagnosing bacterial vaginosis, which of the following tests is not typically used?

1. Gonorrhea and Chlamydia DNA probe

2. pH

3. Whiff test

4. Clue cells

The correct answer is: Gonorrhea and Chlamydia DNA probe

In the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis (BV), several tests are commonly employed to assess the condition based on its characteristic signs and symptoms. The use of a Gonorrhea and Chlamydia DNA probe is specifically aimed at identifying the presence of gonorrhea and chlamydia infections, which are sexually transmitted diseases, rather than BV itself. Bacterial vaginosis is typically diagnosed through the presence of clinical signs like elevated vaginal pH, the whiff test—where a fishy odor is elicited upon the addition of potassium hydroxide to a sample, and the identification of clue cells, which are vaginal epithelial cells that appear to have an irregular shape and are coated with bacteria. Each of these tests directly relates to the specific pathophysiology of BV. Therefore, the Gonorrhea and Chlamydia DNA probe does not directly contribute to diagnosing bacterial vaginosis, making it the test that is not typically used in this context.