Nurse Grace is assessing a male client diagnosed with gonorrhea. Which symptom most likely prompts the client to seek medical attention?

• A. Foul-smelling discharge from the penis
• B. Rashes on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
• C. Cauliflower-like warts on the penis
• D. Painful red papules on the shaft of the penis

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that gonorrhea in men typically causes a noticeable urethral discharge. A foul-smelling discharge from the penis reflects an active infection of the urethra with Neisseria gonorrhoeae and is what would most clearly motivate a patient to seek medical evaluation and treatment.

The other signs point to different conditions. A rash on the palms and soles is more characteristic of secondary syphilis. Cauliflower-like warts indicate HPV infection. Painful red papules on the shaft suggest a lesion such as herpes. While these can prompt medical care, they are not the classic manifestation of gonorrhea that most often drives men to seek care promptly.