Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

Which symptom does not indicate the severity of chlamydial conjunctivitis?

1. Severe pain

2. Photophobia

3. Light discharge

4. Painful urination

The correct answer is: Light discharge

Light discharge is characteristic of chlamydial conjunctivitis but does not necessarily indicate the severity of the condition. In chlamydial infections, discharge can vary in consistency and amount, and while it can be present in mild or severe cases, the presence of light discharge on its own does not correlate with how severe the conjunctivitis is. In contrast, symptoms like severe pain and photophobia are more indicative of the inflammation and irritation caused by the infection and can signify a more severe manifestation. Similarly, painful urination suggests a potential systemic infection or complications related to chlamydia but is not a symptom of conjunctivitis itself. Therefore, light discharge is not a reliable indicator of severity in this context.