Which management statement regarding gonorrhea is accurate?

• A. A foul-smelling discharge from the penis is a common presenting symptom.
• B. The condition never presents with discharge.
• C. Gonorrhea can be treated with penicillin in all cases.
• D. Antibiotics are never indicated for gonorrhea.

Answer: (A)

Gonorrhea in men often shows a urethral discharge that is purulent; the exudate can have a foul odor due to the pus and bacterial debris. This makes a foul-smelling discharge a plausible and common presenting feature, so stating it as an accurate presentation aligns with typical clinical signs.

Discharge is a classic symptom, so saying it never presents with discharge is incorrect. Penicillin is no longer reliably effective for gonorrhea because many strains produce penicillinase and resistance has spread; modern management uses cephalosporins (often ceftriaxone) with additional agents as needed. Antibiotics are essential for treatment, so saying they’re never indicated is wrong.