North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

What are symptoms of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?

1. Severe headaches and neck stiffness

2. Lower abdominal tenderness and vaginal discharge

3. Persistent cough and chest pain

4. Fatigue and weight loss

The correct answer is: Lower abdominal tenderness and vaginal discharge

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs that can manifest through various symptoms, predominantly affecting the lower abdomen. Lower abdominal tenderness is a key symptom, as the inflammation typically causes discomfort in that area. Additionally, vaginal discharge can present as a notable symptom in PID, often appearing abnormal in color, consistency, or odor, reflecting the infectious nature of the disease. Other choices present symptoms that do not align with PID. For instance, severe headaches and neck stiffness are more characteristic of conditions like meningitis. Similarly, persistent cough and chest pain relate to respiratory or cardiovascular issues rather than reproductive tract infections. Fatigue and weight loss can occur in numerous health conditions, but they are not specific symptoms of PID. Thus, the specific combination of lower abdominal tenderness and vaginal discharge makes it the correct representation of PID symptoms.