In evaluating a patient admitted with pelvic inflammatory disease, which question is most appropriate to include in the nursing_history?

• A. When did you first notice the heavy bleeding with clots?
• B. Do you have spotting after intercourse?
• C. Have you ever used an intrauterine device?
• D. When did you start to have the sudden high fever?

Answer: (C)

Assessing risk factors is key when evaluating someone with pelvic inflammatory disease. Knowing if the patient has ever used an intrauterine device is most informative because an IUD is a recognized risk factor for PID; its presence can be associated with an increased likelihood of infection or infection related to device use, and it helps guide immediate care decisions, such as monitoring for device-related infection and considering management steps if PID is suspected. The other questions focus more on current symptoms or other gynecologic issues, which are important but don't identify a factor that markedly alters risk or initial management in the history as directly as documenting IUD use.